Thomas Tuchel has admitted that he is “absolutely concerned” about the international break this month, saying that Chelsea could potentially prevent their players from joining their national teams.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said this week that Premier League clubs agree that players should not be cleared for international matches if they have to be quarantined on their return.
Chelsea currently have one player – Brazilian Thiago Silva – who may have to travel to a country on the UK government’s ‘red list’. Silva will have to quarantine himself in a hotel for 10 days if he returns to England should he be part of his country’s squad.
However, the Blues first-team roster is full of international players who may have to fly overseas to represent their countries for the upcoming games due to take place later this month.
2:56
WATCH FOR FREE: Highlights of Chelsea’s Premier League win over Liverpool
Anyone returning to England from abroad must quarantine for 10 days at home. However, footballers are allowed to train and take part in competitions during this time. Any person can end their quarantine after five days through the “Test to Release” system if they pay for a private coronavirus test and return a negative result.
Chelsea will play West Brom on April 3rd – just days after the players will return from their national teams – and Tuchel said: “I am absolutely concerned because my goal is to play the Premier League and if I have players in quarantine I can’t build it. ” Group we want.
“But I’m also sure the club knows how to deal with it and if it is the consequence that players cannot leave, then that is the consequence.”
“The situation is extraordinary. We have to adapt and we will do so as a club. We will make the decisions. We are very concerned about the situation.”
Tuchel: Big fixtures drive us
Tuchel spoke after Chelsea’s impressive 1-0 win at Anfield on Thursday night – a result that put them back in the top four and left champions Liverpool in seventh place in the Premier League.
4:07
Tuchel says his Chelsea side fully deserved their Liverpool win after a disciplined and courageous performance
The German head coach replaced Frank Lampard in January and went undefeated in his first ten games. He’s also recorded away wins against Tottenham, Atletico Madrid and now Liverpool.
Chelsea’s schedule list shows no signs of easing. The fifth Everton visits Stamford Bridge on Monday night while the race for the top four reaches its finals.
The Toffees have won their last three games and Tuchel said: “It’s the next situation where there is only one point difference between the teams.
“Everton had a very strong start to the season and had a big win at Anfield too and kept the momentum going.
“Very strong squad, very, very physical, full of talent, strong strikers, dangerous No. 10 with James (Rodriguez), strong, experienced players, super strong manager on the sidelines with Carlo (Ancelotti) who knows how to keep momentum .
“It’s good that these games are going and it’s good that we have a big, big game that drives us. Then it’s a very natural process to get back to the top because we don’t need a lot of words – the Situation is very clear.
“We need the next performance at the highest level to be able to win.”
Tuchel transformed Chelsea
Adam Bate from Sky Sports …
Those who complained about the decision to fire Frank Lampard said he just needed time. It only took Thomas Tuchel one day to improve Chelsea’s style of play.
3:27
Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp discuss how Tuchel turned Chelsea’s season on since he took office
Six weeks after his appointment, he has them back in the top four of the Premier League and appears to be the best bet to compete with Manchester City over the long term.
Beating Liverpool at Anfield may not have been the feat it used to be, but it was a very controlled performance by Chelsea and a deserved win. Mason Mount’s outstanding goal in the first half came. The equalizer never really looked like that.
“Liverpool did very little in the 90 minutes,” Jamie Carragher said in co-comment on Sky Sports. Back in the studio, Ashley Cole was also impressed. “One of the best performances I’ve seen from Chelsea when it comes to playing from behind.”
