Thomas Tuchel has insisted the Chelsea pitch has not been up to scratch since the start of the season.
The German bizarrely blamed the Stamford Bridge turf for the recent spate of goals the Blues have been conceding.
After Wednesday's 4-2 loss against Arsenal, the German had said: 'To say the pitch is difficult to play here it maybe sounds like an excuse, but it is a very, very difficult pitch that we have here. It's not in our favour.
'The ball bounces very awkwardly in front of (defender) Andreas (Christensen) when he wants to play this ball. We had the same mistake against Real Madrid that cost us the next round of the Champions League, and this one cost us the next match. I can't remember when we got two goals like this.'
In a Friday press conference ahead of his side's London derby against West Ham, also at their home ground, Tuchel claimed the issues began when the club didn't renew the pitch in time at the start of the campaign.
And when asked if the government's financial sanctions amid the ongoing takeover had affected the field of play, the 48-year-old insisted it had not.
He said: 'No, no. The demands are high from the manager, that's the problem. We were struggling a little bit with the timing of the renewal (of the pitch) this season. So at the beginning of the season, the pitch wasn't where we wanted it to be.
'We have a bad mix of individual mistakes, a bit of a lack of quality in the defensive attitude in and around the box, we get punished for it. I am not sure I know why.
'The expected goals we concede since the international break is a bit higher than normal, and that is on me, tactics, pressing. We conceded since the international break 12 goals, which is double the amount of expected goals.'
Chelsea's previously strong defence has been called into question during the last month after a catalogue of costly errors.
Christensen's mishit back-pass led to Eddie Nketiah scoring the opener for the Gunners on Wednesday.
Against Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final first leg earlier this month, 'keeper Edouard Mendy's horribly under-hit pass was intercepted by Karim Benzema, who scored a vital goal as Chelsea ended up losing 5-4 on aggregate.
FaithEvans
0
I'm worried about next season. We are going to lose a lot of stability especially in defence when the senior defenders leave. We've got 3 of them on their way out (Azpilicueta, Rüdiger and Christensen). It's going to leave a void to be filled. Replacing these guys won't be easy especially if the signings are outside the PL. I'm lowering my expectations for next season
After the takeover, naturally, it should take a while to get back to competing levels. longer time if the new owners are money grabbers
Andy_Mac
0
There's more going on behind the scenes, but he's done well to keep it all down.
I'm worried about next season. We are going to lose a lot of stability especially in defence when the senior defenders leave. We've got 3 of them on their way out (Azpilicueta, Rüdiger and Christensen). It's going to leave a void to be filled. Replacing these guys won't be easy especially if the signings are outside the PL. I'm lowering my expectations for next season
FaithEvans
2
Usually he's not the type of guy to hide behind excuses but recently I don't know what's happened to him. I don't like the excuses he's giving
There's more going on behind the scenes, but he's done well to keep it all down.
Andy_Mac
1
Tuchel complaining about the pitch and how the ball bounces awkwardly is ridiculously funny. It's like Arsenal were able to adapt because we chase wild rabbits in training at London Colney.
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Usually he's not the type of guy to hide behind excuses but recently I don't know what's happened to him. I don't like the excuses he's giving
Andy_Mac
0
Can we cut out the excuses please? We are Chelsea FC. We have no time for excuses. Chelsea fans demand only results, not excuses 🙏
AjumobiSizzle
1
Are you trying too say we should bet on goal/goal in our next match 😃
yidcdelmuz
1
okay 🙏🙏🙏
nowadortz
0
cfc at the moment even the pltch is against you , what a complain!
ASSnal fans can’t talk to us
Tatceilrsu
0
when u are winning no excuse but for me I like u Tuchel
Easytemple-CR7-CP10
0
the pitch you train everyday no matter how bad it is you can manage it, is arsenal the visitors that are supposed to complain about the pitch and not Chealse
Hey dude Who told you Chelsea train on the pitch dude Go check Chelsea Instagram and see where they train ok
mizceiknoz
0
How does someone say that they don't sleep comfortably in their own home? It's the visitor who should have difficulty coping with a new environment.
I pity u guys oo, what Tuchel is saying is simple, is it the English u guys don't understand or u can't read at all,. after talking about the pitch,he also stated this,. We have a bad mix of individual mistakes, a bit of a lack of quality in the defensive attitude in and around the box, we get punished for it. I am not sure I know why.. arsenal scoring Chelsea at Stamford bridge is not news,. indeed, English is heavy, not everyone can carry it.
Makayoko
3
He’s saying all this because of the new takeover so they have it in mind to invest on the pitch, not only on buying players…. Nice move mr Thomas 👏
mizceiknoz
0
He's the only Chelsea manager to complain about this 😂😂😂, for years Chelsea has been playing in this ground
don't just talk, if u don't know,keep quiet and learn.. every team including ur Liverpool has to get a certain standard of renovation on the pitch before the season starts,that is y he was saying, Chelsea were finding it difficult to do so,. Bad pitches sometimes manipulate results,if u don't know..
Ageerjok
0
word
Thanks
Ageerjok
0
i agree with you bro
Thanks bro
Zuhdeimsz
0
Bunch if excuses.
buhcnotu
1
He's the only Chelsea manager to complain about this 😂😂😂, for years Chelsea has been playing in this ground
Zadadelsyz
1
cfc at the moment even the pltch is against you , what a complain!
vaolmnrty
4
the pitch you train everyday no matter how bad it is you can manage it, is arsenal the visitors that are supposed to complain about the pitch and not Chealse
DavidDaevchinyama
1
How does someone say that they don't sleep comfortably in their own home? It's the visitor who should have difficulty coping with a new environment.
word
Kunlespur2
0
Tuchel complaining about the pitch and how the ball bounces awkwardly is ridiculously funny. It's like Arsenal were able to adapt because we chase wild rabbits in training at London Colney.
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😂😂
Danny670
3
If the pitch has been the problem why hasn’t been a single complaint from visiting teams? Abi you lack wetin to talk?
voselmnosu
1
How does someone say that they don't sleep comfortably in their own home? It's the visitor who should have difficulty coping with a new environment.
i agree with you bro
jeoadeny
2
sierra leone
sparrkdepp
1
Tuchel.. the pitch wasn't ideal from the start of the season reason for our defeats recently. Reporter.. what about the victories you had at the start of the season? Tuchel.. it has gotten worse over time it's too bad now, they look like a rice farm everyone wants to harvest here and the scarecrows are can't prevent them from attacking the plantation.
Ageerjok
4
How does someone say that they don't sleep comfortably in their own home? It's the visitor who should have difficulty coping with a new environment.
FaithEvans
6
Tuchel complaining about the pitch and how the ball bounces awkwardly is ridiculously funny. It's like Arsenal were able to adapt because we chase wild rabbits in training at London Colney.
Yenaiktz
0
that's he was to do during the Madrid game, but he refused, at 80 minutes he was still looking for goals .
FaithEvans
0
Once you saw Chelsea doing this in the 70th minute, you knew the game was over. No point in trying, the game was locked off.
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It's closing prayers. 🤣
voselmnosu
1
i think Tuchel is mistaken here how can he complain about his Stamford Bride turf when both teams were playing on the same turf and i think it should be Arsenal to complain not him
charitywale
6
Once you saw Chelsea doing this in the 70th minute, you knew the game was over. No point in trying, the game was locked off.