Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Chelsea star Mason Mount was benched for the Manchester City game as he was 'not in the 100% zone'. The midfielder came on very late in the game that saw the Blues lose 1-0 to the Cityzens.
Chelsea have fallen behind in the Premier League title race and are unlikely to catch Manchester City. The Blues sit 13 points below the league leaders and will have to put in 100% in every remaining game to get anywhere close to Pep Guardiola's side.
Speaking to the media ahead of their game against Brighton and Hove Albion, Tuchel was quizzed about Mount. The Chelsea manager claimed it was a tactical decision to drop the Englishman but also hinted that the midfielder was not at his best. He said:
"I felt Mason not like in the 100% zone, where he is untouchable, which he normally almost is. He's not happy about it, but it will not last long because everyone loves Mason – me included.
"We were opting for runners. We thought we could break the line more with Hakim as a left foot on the left side and going for Christian on the right side because of the arrival of Christian in the box. He is a bit more of a runner than Mason."
When asked if Mount misses the connection he had with Ben Chilwell on the pitch, Tuchel said:
"I think he's also missing Reece James. Reece, N'Golo Kanté and him were so strong together. When you turn, you know without even looking he will come now, or I will go and get the pass and he will come, so I will be here."
Big month ahead for Chelsea
Chelsea will play Brighton on Tuesday night and then welcome Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Blues do not have a Premier League game scheduled for nearly a month after that. They are set to play in the FA Cup against Plymouth on 5th February and then head for the Club World Cup.
Tuchel's side could be outside the top four the next time they play in the Premier League. But they will have enough games in hand to get back to third spot.
Boloz7583
0
A 2% Mason Mount is a better player than 200% ziyech
not when he was at ajax
soldierzway
0
Why didn’t pep win it with almighty Bayern with great squad
Because football is not as easy as we think. That's why we are not footballers or managers. That's why. But as a fan I've seen a lot of football matches in my life where the best team loose the game .
Wawaklmoz
0
Dear critics don't forget TT gave you a big smile last season....when things go sour you complain when he does it right you praise...me being CITIZEN FUN... I salute TT he is genius..He is tactical manager,sometimes players get tired mentally they are humans ot robots..they have challenges that can distract their focus on soccer...City not an easy opponent neither Brighton they have quality players...Cucurella is technical player with accurate passes...bottom line EPL is tough league .
Wopdklp
2
Please explain why u drew against Brighton today.. Lukaku again?
Jecbdkruyz
0
don't warry u will b sakd very soon
lodabcenr
1
to all Chelsea management would you like to sign adamar for us as supporters he is a good player and also saka from arsenal we are done
subduct232
0
DAMN TUCHEL, YOU CAN'T START ZIYECH OR PULISIC OVER MOUNT IN SUCH A BIG GAME. YOU WANTED CHELSEA TO LOSE
MykBisolakay
1
A 2% Mason Mount is a better player than 200% ziyech
GoatLingard
1
Man city will never win champions league as long as pep is there
Pep won more trophies than the whole chelsea history 😂😂🤣
Bibaklnouy
0
tuchel think pulisic is better than all the players he has
noybeikoru
0
this one is how to win big teams how many like this team maneger
Ruzadeinu
0
Chelsea superstar 😂😂🤣
He has won everything as a coach Mumu
Ruzadeinu
0
Chelsea superstar 😂😂🤣
Pep has 2 champions league trophy 🏆 mumu
inzagh
0
Chelsea can never win Epl anymore as long as Pep and klop is still there mark my word
Why didn’t pep win it with almighty Bayern with great squad
GoatLingard
0
Chelsea can never win Epl anymore as long as Pep and klop is still there mark my word
That’s right....Chelsea is title pretender😂😂🤣😢
inzagh
1
That’s so called jealousy.....Chelsea will never win the premier league again if pep is still here😂😂🤣
Man city will never win champions league as long as pep is there
noybeikoru
1
your wrong when u aren't playing mount and havert
noybeikoru
0
Chelsea need another sing pros player like Adama and common and delight and
GoatLingard
0
Champion of Europe not local champion
That’s so called jealousy.....Chelsea will never win the premier league again if pep is still here😂😂🤣
narteyjeffreyson
1
Chelsea can never win Epl anymore as long as Pep and klop is still there mark my word
lol how many years has Klopp being in the EPL and how many EPL trophies does he have? 😂 I feel Klopp is highly overrated. With the kind of team he has been able to assemble, a single EPL trophy is an underachievement
Drew-10
2
Surprisingly Ziyech and Christian performance was not even above 50% zone and Alonso should go to Laliga, physicality there can be a bit favourable for him.
Ruzadeinu
0
Chelsea superstar 😂😂🤣
Likewise Man United
Ruzadeinu
1
Chelsea superstar 😂😂🤣
Chelsea can never win Epl anymore as long as Pep and klop is still there mark my word
Kawbdelnuz
2
Foreign champion winner, 5 years done go without you winning it 😂😂😂 Next 5 years you can’t even see it self
Lol I imagine what else you guys will say when City win UCL
aguero_10
0
That wasn’t right selection from u boss 🙏.
You don't train with the team.
Ruzadeinu
0
Chelsea superstar 😂😂🤣
Foreign champion winner, 5 years done go without you winning it 😂😂😂 Next 5 years you can’t even see it self
Lueadityz
1
So does he mean pulisic and ziyech was in 100% zone …sometimes his select is what dey cost wanna team but in all his is a very good coach so he just needs to make the right selection that’s all 👌
You people always complain. When Chelsea wins the selection is on point but just one loss or draw you’ve started complaining like you could do better. Why did Lukaku miss that chance, why did Ziyech not make that pass short. Man city didn’t have that kind of chances to score yet they scored but you want to blame TT. If i ask you now what changes would you make to that squad to get a win what will it be lemme know?
Bahdikos
2
your team selection was wrong admit
kaman95
1
That wasn’t right selection from u boss 🙏.
Rehadnru
2
We need to sign another pro player
tiaabcmosy
2
So does he mean pulisic and ziyech was in 100% zone …sometimes his select is what dey cost wanna team but in all his is a very good coach so he just needs to make the right selection that’s all 👌
inzagh
2
Chelsea superstar 😂😂🤣
Champion of Europe not local champion
ledceiprsy
0
How many times will play Spurs and defeat them this season? Come on Chealse
EmmyGreatjoy
2
what about harvert
GoatLingard
6
Chelsea superstar 😂😂🤣