Thomas Tuchel has reassured Chelsea fans they will be doing everything to beat Tottenham next week after the German had previously admitted having a soft spot for their bitter rivals.
Back in 2016, Tuchel's Borussia Dortmund drew Spurs in the last-16 of the UEFA Europa League and at the time he spoke of his affection for the White Hart Lane club growing up in the Bavarian town of Krumbach.
'As a little kid, in my garden, when I played [football] I was always [playing] as a team from the Bundesliga but there was one game when I played as Tottenham Hotspur because I liked the name so much,' he said in 2016.
'I didn't have a picture and I didn't know they played in London so to play them in two legs was very special. What I didn't know as a kid is what I felt today and yesterday, that there are so many friendly people there.
'The coaching staff and the staff in the stadium and dressing room and benches and so on, was unbelievable. Such great support and atmosphere, so many friendly people, they made us feel welcome. Thanks a lot and best of luck to the club.'
But determined not to get off on the wrong foot with Chelsea fans, Tuchel explained his supposed affections for Spurs in his unveiling press conference on Thursday afternoon.
He said: 'I want to be very honest because we played the Europa League game with Dortmund and Tottenham, and I just explained it.
'When I was young there was no daily match live on the TV, so what I could actually see was one or two minutes every four weeks.
'Suddenly a club like Tottenham Hotspur came across on our sports broadcaster, I heard the name and it sounded like a big adventure and it gave me a big advantage on my friends because they had no idea where the club was.
'I was young, but that was one of my first experiences. I did not even know it was a club in London.
'But now I'm absolutely aware I work for their big rivals, and you can be very, very sure we will do everything to beat them next week!'
Chelsea play away to Tottenham next Thursday. In the meantime, they host Burnley this Sunday with Tuchel hoping to pick up his first win in the job after Wednesday night's goalless draw against Wolves.
Tuchel's Dortmund side comprehensively got the better of Spurs in that 2016 tie, winning 5-1 on aggregate.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, now at their north London rivals Arsenal, scored in a 3-0 first leg win at the Signal Iduna Park before netting twice in a 2-1 success at White Hart Lane.
Tuchel's side were eliminated in an epic tie with Liverpool in the next round.
vatioprtyz
0
Abraham shouldn't be starting the match because he is not heavy on the ball
vatioprtyz
2
rolinyo that ball u shoud change honestly in the between
Andy_Mac
1
Wow, so you also wish Chelsea's biggest London rivals succeed so that your board will come to their senses and learn to prioritise stability and continuity over immediate success? I've no comments on that one
Yes, that's what I'm saying. Coz you guys are doing something right and we're doing it wrong. The best way for us to get the message is if our biggest rivals finish above us. I never wish for us to lose games. Of course not. I always want us to win and play football with the right spirit but the player power is still a thing and that concerns me deeply. When a match is around, I always want to win but I wouldn't be disappointed if Arsenal and Tottenham finish above us because I can see us making mistakes with this approach while those teams are trying to build a legacy. If such a scenario occurs where our biggest rivals finish above us, maybe then we'll change our approach. It sounds extreme but if it's effective, then I really don't mind. I certainly have no intention to entertain mercenaries. And as much as I want Tuchel to succeed as a manager, this board will sabotage his operation just like they've done with all his predecessors.
Gunners4ever❤
1
Those players may have thought that Arteta was gonna get the sack with their substandard performances but they didn't get their wish and now we see new blood integrated into the first team. Arsenal is making steps in the right direction. Academy players are stepping up and showing the senior heads how it's done. Players like Pépé will now realise that their poor performances won't go without consequences. They'll either have to step up or else rot in the reserves. Slowly but surely you guys are making progress. I really do hope that Arsenal keep up the progress and qualify for UCL soon along with Tottenham because maybe then, the right message will be sent out to the board and they'll know they're fighting a battle they will lose. Hopefully then they'll let their ego and greed go, and do something which will benefit the club in the long run by actually letting the manager do his job.
Wow, so you also wish Chelsea's biggest London rivals succeed so that your board will come to their senses and learn to prioritise stability and continuity over immediate success? I've no comments on that one
Andy_Mac
1
Tbh I laughed when Edu and Kroenke backed Arteta after all those sh¡t results last month but now it's looking more optimistic for us. Smith-Rowe has improved our midfield and attack, most of our players become mercenaries after signing new contracts but Holding has improved since he signed his contract 2 weeks ago, Partey is back fit and bossing the midfield, our defence has improved and that's passed on to Leno as well, who was inconsistent earlier this season but he is more composed now. Judging by our 2 recent games against Southampton, Pépé is looking like we can bring the best out of him by playing him on the left side because he looks more confident in that position. With Aubameyang unavailable and Martinelli unfit, he should start in that position tonight.
Those players may have thought that Arteta was gonna get the sack with their substandard performances but they didn't get their wish and now we see new blood integrated into the first team. Arsenal is making steps in the right direction. Academy players are stepping up and showing the senior heads how it's done. Players like Pépé will now realise that their poor performances won't go without consequences. They'll either have to step up or else rot in the reserves. Slowly but surely you guys are making progress. I really do hope that Arsenal keep up the progress and qualify for UCL soon along with Tottenham because maybe then, the right message will be sent out to the board and they'll know they're fighting a battle they will lose. Hopefully then they'll let their ego and greed go, and do something which will benefit the club in the long run by actually letting the manager do his job.
Andy_Mac
1
Will Abramovich stay for that long? He has already been Chelsea's owner for 17-and-a-half years. I guess he might stay for as long as he can live and earn money🤔
I hope he doesn't stay for long and I'm dead serious about it. Chelsea fans will worship Abramovich till oblivion because of the trophies won in recent years but I won't be one of them. I don't entertain mercenaries just because we've won trophies. The sooner they're disassociated with the club, the better.
Gunners4ever❤
1
Yeah life as an Arsenal fan has been tough for sure. Btw I really respect what Arsenal did this season. They backed Arteta through a tough period and hopefully for you guys, you get back to the top. Chelsea as a club needs a kick up the backside for being so premature with their handling of managers and allowing player power to take over. I can genuinely see us moving backwards but maybe this is for the best.
Tbh I laughed when Edu and Kroenke backed Arteta after all those sh¡t results last month but now it's looking more optimistic for us. Smith-Rowe has improved our midfield and attack, most of our players become mercenaries after signing new contracts but Holding has improved since he signed his contract 2 weeks ago, Partey is back fit and bossing the midfield, our defence has improved and that's passed on to Leno as well, who was inconsistent earlier this season but he is more composed now. Judging by our 2 recent games against Southampton, Pépé is looking like we can bring the best out of him by playing him on the left side because he looks more confident in that position. With Aubameyang unavailable and Martinelli unfit, he should start in that position tonight.
Gunners4ever❤
1
Maybe Chelsea needs to have a tough life for 13 years without winning many trophies before our board realises that we can't keep switching the managers at every opportunity when the team isn't producing results.
Will Abramovich stay for that long? He has already been Chelsea's owner for 17-and-a-half years. I guess he might stay for as long as he can live and earn money🤔
Andy_Mac
1
It has been tough for about 13 years😑
Maybe Chelsea needs to have a tough life for 13 years without winning many trophies before our board realises that we can't keep switching the managers at every opportunity when the team isn't producing results.
lord_henry-14
2
Yeah life as an Arsenal fan has been tough for sure. Btw I really respect what Arsenal did this season. They backed Arteta through a tough period and hopefully for you guys, you get back to the top. Chelsea as a club needs a kick up the backside for being so premature with their handling of managers and allowing player power to take over. I can genuinely see us moving backwards but maybe this is for the best.
It has been tough for about 13 years😑
Andy_Mac
1
Player power can be prevented if the new manager, in the current case, Tuchel, can get his players to be happy with how he plays and bring the best out of them to get what matters most: good results. However, one bad run of form and there's a chance they will become mercenaries and play to get the manager sacked. That coupled with the nature of your fanbase will kick the manager out and this could be a recurring theme for years if Abramovich doesn't look at the bigger picture. Your owner has passed his mentality on to the Chelsea fanbase, shortsightedness and a huge sense of drive for immediate success. After 5 years, we might be saying that good scouts and some of the good managers Abramovich has hired for Chelsea are the real protagonists behind their success since 2005. I think it's possible🤔
Yes bro. In fact, if you notice, our academy team as well as the women's team is doing so very well. Chelsea is a resourceful club with amazing scouts. But unfortunately, we have a board governed by immature, short-sighted folks who think that they can intervene in football matters and make decisions which will serve both their financial interests as well as the overall image of the club. Their drive for immediate success is fueled by the fact that Chelsea isn't as big a club as the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal. So, in order to build the fanbase, they want to aggressively pursue trophies to be relevant. This is the rotten truth which many Chelsea fans will deny but not me. I prefer to be a realist and I know that we're actually moving backwards as a club. At this stage, I would actually be happier if Abramovich decides to sell the ownership to someone else. We may not win as many trophies if he relinquishes the ownership, but at least we'd see the club function more maturely, purposefully and with a view of producing aesthetically pleasing football which gives the fans something to look forward to. I'd rather much have that and be a mid-table or top 6 club than be a club that's moving up and down the table every season and entertaining a bunch of mercenaries who don't truly care about the club and pick and choose when they want to play well for the club. There's more to football than just winning and celebrating trophies. Only true football fans will appreciate this.
Gunners4ever❤
1
Yeah life as an Arsenal fan has been tough for sure. Btw I really respect what Arsenal did this season. They backed Arteta through a tough period and hopefully for you guys, you get back to the top. Chelsea as a club needs a kick up the backside for being so premature with their handling of managers and allowing player power to take over. I can genuinely see us moving backwards but maybe this is for the best.
Player power can be prevented if the new manager, in the current case, Tuchel, can get his players to be happy with how he plays and bring the best out of them to get what matters most: good results. However, one bad run of form and there's a chance they will become mercenaries and play to get the manager sacked. That coupled with the nature of your fanbase will kick the manager out and this could be a recurring theme for years if Abramovich doesn't look at the bigger picture. Your owner has passed his mentality on to the Chelsea fanbase, shortsightedness and a huge sense of drive for immediate success. After 5 years, we might be saying that good scouts and some of the good managers Abramovich has hired for Chelsea are the real protagonists behind their success since 2005. I think it's possible🤔
Andy_Mac
1
I've been dull for 10 years tho[Crylaugh]
Yeah life as an Arsenal fan has been tough for sure. Btw I really respect what Arsenal did this season. They backed Arteta through a tough period and hopefully for you guys, you get back to the top. Chelsea as a club needs a kick up the backside for being so premature with their handling of managers and allowing player power to take over. I can genuinely see us moving backwards but maybe this is for the best.
Andy_Mac
1
Oh, at least Kroenke immediately cleared off our stadium debts when he came. Otherwise we would have to be paying debts until 2032.
Yeah so you're better off now 😅
Gunners4ever❤
1
Yeah mate. You couldn't have summed up the situation any better. Personally, I've lost that extra bit of excitement I had as a Chelsea fan during Lampard's tenure. Now, I really don't know where we're headed as a club but I don't like what I see. I'll still remain an enthusiastic football fan as always but it's a dull life talking about Chelsea anymore. Any success we get will remain short lived as we're the masters of hitting the reset button.
I've been dull for 10 years tho[Crylaugh]
Gunners4ever❤
1
That's down to Man Utd's poor handling of transfer business mate. They've been taking loans for quite a while now. You'd wonder when they'd be able to clear off their debts seeing as they rarely sell players for good money.
Oh, at least Kroenke immediately cleared off our stadium debts when he came. Otherwise we would have to be paying debts until 2032.
Andy_Mac
1
When I mentioned transfer ban, I was referring to you pointing out to the Manchester United fan who posted the original comment in this thread that at least the so-called small team Chelsea doesn't take loans unlike the so-called big club Manchester United. Do you think Chelsea woudn't have had to take a loan if you spent as much as Man United did last season and didn't offload 2 players alone for almost £150m?😏
That's down to Man Utd's poor handling of transfer business mate. They've been taking loans for quite a while now. You'd wonder when they'd be able to clear off their debts seeing as they rarely sell players for good money.
Andy_Mac
1
Because that way you will have more stability going into this season. Even Pep didn't win a trophy for Manchester City in his first season after making so many signings and so far, he hasn't been able to take Manchester City in the UCL to as far as where his predecessor Pellegrini took them the season before he came. And that's despite spending around £800m+ on new signings. I was one of those id¡ots who thought Chelsea would finish somewhere in between 6th-9th last season because your best player was gone, banned from signing players and was left with an inexperienced manager who inherited an average-looking team. But Lampard still took them to 4th and a cup final. Then after spending so much and several big-name signings, the expectations on him to deliver were high and he started the season well with a 17-game unbeaten run since the Liverpool defeat. He was only making wrong team selections and getting a bunch of talented individual players play bland football for around a month and Chelsea sacked him without giving him time to put things right as if he has been mediocre throughout his tenure. Chelsea sacked him too soon. Let's see what Tuchel can do and how long he will last before your fans chase him out.
Yeah mate. You couldn't have summed up the situation any better. Personally, I've lost that extra bit of excitement I had as a Chelsea fan during Lampard's tenure. Now, I really don't know where we're headed as a club but I don't like what I see. I'll still remain an enthusiastic football fan as always but it's a dull life talking about Chelsea anymore. Any success we get will remain short lived as we're the masters of hitting the reset button.
Gunners4ever❤
1
What's so funny about our transfer ban? If anything, people should be laughing at all the other London clubs for finishing below Chelsea despite the transfer ban 🤡
When I mentioned transfer ban, I was referring to you pointing out to the Manchester United fan who posted the original comment in this thread that at least the so-called small team Chelsea doesn't take loans unlike the so-called big club Manchester United. Do you think Chelsea woudn't have had to take a loan if you spent as much as Man United did last season and didn't offload 2 players alone for almost £150m?😏
Gunners4ever❤
1
Tbf I wish we had a transfer ban this summer too. We would have been in a better situation this season than 8th or 9th or wherever the hell we are this season [Crylaugh]
Because that way you will have more stability going into this season. Even Pep didn't win a trophy for Manchester City in his first season after making so many signings and so far, he hasn't been able to take Manchester City in the UCL to as far as where his predecessor Pellegrini took them the season before he came. And that's despite spending around £800m+ on new signings. I was one of those id¡ots who thought Chelsea would finish somewhere in between 6th-9th last season because your best player was gone, banned from signing players and was left with an inexperienced manager who inherited an average-looking team. But Lampard still took them to 4th and a cup final. Then after spending so much and several big-name signings, the expectations on him to deliver were high and he started the season well with a 17-game unbeaten run since the Liverpool defeat. He was only making wrong team selections and getting a bunch of talented individual players play bland football for around a month and Chelsea sacked him without giving him time to put things right as if he has been mediocre throughout his tenure. Chelsea sacked him too soon. Let's see what Tuchel can do and how long he will last before your fans chase him out.
Andy_Mac
1
Transfer ban[Crylaugh]
Tbf I wish we had a transfer ban this summer too. We would have been in a better situation this season than 8th or 9th or wherever the hell we are this season [Crylaugh]
Gunners4ever❤
1
What's so funny about our transfer ban? If anything, people should be laughing at all the other London clubs for finishing below Chelsea despite the transfer ban 🤡
Transfer ban[Crylaugh]
Andy_Mac
1
Transfer ban[Crylaugh]
What's so funny about our transfer ban? If anything, people should be laughing at all the other London clubs for finishing below Chelsea despite the transfer ban 🤡
JayBee56
0
There's a clear difference between Tuchel & Lampard, that difference is the confidence level.
Gunners4ever❤
1
At least our small club isn't taking loans these days unlike a certain "big club" you support.
Transfer ban[Crylaugh]
Aktofel
0
so that this shouldn't be the good time us(Chelsea) to your favorite team👎
Andy_Mac
1
That's why I said you're just an ignorant clueless weak brain. Even Barcelona who's the current RICHEST Club in world is in huge debts which even they can sign players and pay the full wages of their players. Go and upgrade your reasoning and intellect.
Yes both Barcelona and Man Utd are joke clubs right now that need to pay off their debts 😂🤫 First clear your debts and then talk.
ELIKEMSAM
1
Yeah Man Utd has debts to pay which you obviously aren't aware of 😂 Pay off your debtors first before you talk about being a big and rich club 🤫
That's why I said you're just an ignorant clueless weak brain. Even Barcelona who's the current RICHEST Club in world is in huge debts which even they can sign players and pay the full wages of their players. Go and upgrade your reasoning and intellect.
Andy_Mac
0
You're clueless and ignorant. You seems not to know much about football, am just wasting my time on you. Loan...?😅😅
Yeah Man Utd has debts to pay which you obviously aren't aware of 😂 Pay off your debtors first before you talk about being a big and rich club 🤫
ELIKEMSAM
1
At least our small club isn't taking loans these days unlike a certain "big club" you support.
You're clueless and ignorant. You seems not to know much about football, am just wasting my time on you. Loan...?😅😅
Andy_Mac
0
Chelsea are not Tottenham's rivals, their rival is Arsenal. Chelsea are small club in London recently (2004) coming to the scene by the taking over of Abramovic of Russia.
At least our small club isn't taking loans these days unlike a certain "big club" you support.
Andy_Mac
0
Under Lampard, Chelsea draw with Tottenham but this time Chelsea will lose 2-0
I suppose you were living under a rock last season when we achieved the double over them
Princemoore365
0
I like the confidence in this coach
ELIKEMSAM
1
Chelsea is one of the top six team from 90s. your United may be one of the best but without sir AF united are no less than farmer league club. Don't act big just because your united too table in last week match though now city are top. United come to top only after 17 years and yet calling themselves top team lol.
Your ranting doesn't change the fact that United remained the best, RICHEST, most supported and biggest club in England, until Liverpool overtook them with 21 league titles and become the richest, United is always the best club. As for the rest of the clubs which Chelsea is one, are just trying to be counted. You can write every nonese, it just exposed how confused you're to face the reality and come to your senses and do away with emotions and face the fact. You can bleed to death.
laecmopst
1
Under Lampard, Chelsea draw with Tottenham but this time Chelsea will lose 2-0
he goat
TsheringDybala
0
Man United still remain the biggest club in England with the a rich history financially and everything. Chelsea are a small club in London, infact not even the biggest club in London. Arsenal rules London. So boy Shup up. I don't think you know what makes a club big. If Chelsea win a few trophies more than United after Sir Alex left doesn't make Chelsea anywhere near near United.
Chelsea is one of the top six team from 90s. your United may be one of the best but without sir AF united are no less than farmer league club. Don't act big just because your united too table in last week match though now city are top. United come to top only after 17 years and yet calling themselves top team lol.
mowdelst
0
Under Lampard, Chelsea draw with Tottenham but this time Chelsea will lose 2-0
I don’t think you are true Chelsea fan,you sucks a lot
Raaz2021
0
Under Lampard, Chelsea draw with Tottenham but this time Chelsea will lose 2-0
After Lampard now it's time for José...
Handsome Mike
0
Under Lampard, Chelsea draw with Tottenham but this time Chelsea will lose 2-0
God punish you!
zaslmptyz
0
Tuchel will not be so long at Chels#it, Roman is searching for a potential future manager
god bless Israel
ELIKEMSAM
1
my question to you is, can you call man u a big team since the retirement of S A F?
Man United still remain the biggest club in England with the a rich history financially and everything. Chelsea are a small club in London, infact not even the biggest club in London. Arsenal rules London. So boy Shup up. I don't think you know what makes a club big. If Chelsea win a few trophies more than United after Sir Alex left doesn't make Chelsea anywhere near near United.
Danikross
0
Don't do that,honestly
Jikabnot
0
Chelsea are not Tottenham's rivals, their rival is Arsenal. Chelsea are small club in London recently (2004) coming to the scene by the taking over of Abramovic of Russia.
my question to you is, can you call man u a big team since the retirement of S A F?
isaacElijah
0
Fck u israel
well well well, what do we have here
yuwdiko
0
becoz you are jealous of arsenal's trophy cabinet being full while yours is empty 🤣
Spurs has f***ed Dortmund in UCL both the legs last to last season [Crylaugh] You Dortmund fans better don't mess with Spurs fans
Rickhard
0
Under Lampard, Chelsea draw with Tottenham but this time Chelsea will lose 2-0
back to send
KepaTheBlues
0
Dortmund fan trolling Spurs fan. interesting
and fcking israel fan are retared here
ELIKEMSAM
1
against
Ok thanks for the info.
mark_swaps_sides
0
that's why they call our games again west ham Derby they are our real rivals
against
mark_swaps_sides
0
Ok Fulham. Am still right by saying Tottenham are not your traditional rivals.
that's why they call our games again west ham Derby they are our real rivals