Football

Chelsea look to the future as season draws to a close

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says finishing third in the Premier League should be seen as a “miracle” given N’Golo Kante’s injury struggles.

The Blues’ 1-1 draw with Leicester puts them three points clear of Tottenham, in fourth, with a game to go.

Chelsea have a superior goal difference of 18 over Spurs.

Kante has missed more than half the season with various injuries and Tuchel said: “He is the guy who makes the difference.”

The German added: “I think he is our key, key, key player; but key, key, key players need to be on the pitch.

“He plays only 40% of the games. So it’s maybe a miracle that we arrived in third place.

“Because he is our Mo Salah, he is our [Virgil] Van Dijk, he is our [Kevin] De Bruyne, he is simply that player. He is our Neymar, he is our Kylian Mbappe.”

Chelsea, beaten in the FA Cup final by Liverpool at the weekend, fell behind early on at Stamford Bridge when James Maddison curled a fine effort beyond goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

However, Marcos Alonso equalized towards the end of the first half when he was picked out superbly by Reece James and volleyed in.

Chelsea dominated the second half and had numerous chances to take all three points.

Hakim Ziyech went close with a free kick while Romelu Lukaku – who had been largely quiet – headed wide.

But Christian Pulisic failed to convert the best chance for a winner when he sliced wide from eight yards with the goal at his mercy.

The result means Chelsea stay third, three points ahead of Tottenham, but with a vastly superior goal difference.

Tuchel’s side finish the season at home to relegated Watford on Sunday (16:00 BST) while Leicester, who are ninth, will look cement a top-10 finish when they host Southampton at the same time.

COURTESY

Related Post
Share
Published by
Elizabeth Ngirau

Recent Posts

PSG could leave Parc des Princes after mayor turns down sale

French champions exploring ‘alternative options’ after Paris mayor says Parc des Princes is not for… Read More

January 17, 2023

A billion spent by Manchester United and they still trail Man City

Manchester United and Manchester City will clash this Saturday but who has spent more over… Read More

January 13, 2023

Nathan Jones hits back at his critics after Manchester City win

Nathan Jones: "I don't know if I changed perceptions. Within 10 minutes of the Brighton… Read More

January 12, 2023

Rashford double helps Man Utd past Charlton | Ten Hag: We are progressing

Man Utd beat League One side Charlton 3-0 at Old Trafford to reach the Carabao… Read More

January 11, 2023

Arsenal could face a huge FA Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester City at the Etihad

FA Cup fourth round could see Arsenal away to Manchester City; Gunners must beat Oxford… Read More

January 9, 2023

Gunners miss chance to go 10 points clear in stalemate

Arsenal are left frustrated by Newcastle's superb defence; Mikel Arteta's team are now eight points… Read More

January 4, 2023