Thomas Tuchel claims the Chelsea hierarchy is concentrated on the highest 4 and never the FA Cup

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has indicated that he has prioritized Tuesday’s assembly with Leicester forward of the 2 sides’ FA Cup last, as membership managers have all the time emphasised their want to achieve the highest 4.

The Blues fell 1-0 to a superb Youri Tielemans strike at Wembley and should now put together for one more assembly with Leicester which may perhaps resolve the destiny of each side this season. It is third to fourth and any dropping staff might very properly kiss their Champions League hopes.

Leicester took the prey within the cup last | Pool / Getty Pictures

Whereas Tuchel was satisfied he was not deliberately throwing the FA Cup, he careworn that Chelsea have all the time been extra targeted on qualifying for the Champions League and prompt he go all-out to safe victory on Tuesday.

“It might appear to be I am a unhealthy loser if I say sure,” Tuchel mentioned (through The Guardian) when requested if he had sacrificed the FA Cup. “I am not loser however I would like to be a respectful loser and I am not right here to play the match for monetary causes.

“We misplaced an enormous match, it was a large match for us, we put out the very best staff potential. We didn’t relaxation anybody as a result of we had a sense that this recreation is extra essential.

“However there may be a however. Do we would like to play within the Champions League subsequent season? Sure, that is the purpose once I joined this membership. I would like to be very clear – the activity was: ‘Let’s attempt every little thing to be among the many prime 4.’ The activity was not: “Let’s attempt every little thing to win the FA Cup” as a result of the FA Cup, as large because it is, is not going to offer you Champions League soccer subsequent season. It’s the highest 4 that give us that.

“[Tuesday] is one other nice recreation however, like I mentioned, this recreation was nice for us. It was a last. As soon as you have got collected the cutlery, you are attempting every little thing to easily out of respect. And me and the gamers – be very positive of this – suppose zero about how a lot cash we make. This is just not in our heads. ”

Tuchel has acquired intense criticism for his heavy rotation of Chelsea – one thing he admitted value his aspect of their 1-0 loss to Arsenal – and he admitted that he has had a arduous time balancing minutes up to now in his Chelsea profession.

“You’re all the time a bit drained between not desirous to change in any respect and figuring out that I can’t play the subsequent ten matches with the identical group,” he mentioned.

Tuchel admitted that he made a mistake towards Arsenal Pool / Getty Pictures

“You may by no means flip round and know what would have occurred if Timo Werner had performed towards Arsenal – would he have scored or not? You just have no idea. Typically you remorse your choices as a coach. ”

Victory for Chelsea would make them skip Leicester to 3rd place and permit them to should match Leicester’s last rating towards Tottenham of their assembly with Aston Villa to e-book a spot in subsequent season’s Champions League, however defeat would open the door for Liverpool to sneak in.

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