Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says demands ‘not fair’ on Covid-hit squad after win at Aston Villa
Romelu Lukaku stepped off the bench to score one and then win a penalty as Chelsea beat Aston Villa 3-1 to go level on points with Liverpool – who have a game in hand – and stay six points behind Premier League leaders Man City. Thomas Tuchel has criticised the Premier League.
Thomas Tuchel admitted he took a fitness risk with Romelu Lukaku after the Chelsea striker’s game-changing impact at Aston Villa.
The forward came off the bench at the break with the score locked at 1-1 to inspire the visitors to a 3-1 win on Sunday.
His first Premier League goal since September’s double against Villa put Chelsea ahead and he then won an added-time penalty for Jorginho to score.
It was the Italy midfielder’s second from the spot after he cancelled out Reece James’ own goal in the first half.
Lukaku has been blighted by an ankle injury and then Covid-19 since October and while Chelsea head coach Tuchel was delighted with his impact, he said it was “not fair” to force him back into action for a full half.
Tuchel said: “It’s not fair today. He [Lukaku] had a very good performance, he was very helpful, but it’s not fair. He’s not ready for that even if he wants it.
“We’ve all been in bed for 10 days with flu. I did not play two days later a match at Villa Park – we don’t know what happens from that. We just put the players in but we don’t know [what the impact is]. He was a game-changer today. I’m super impressed with the guys but I’m super concerned.
“There is no doubt he is super-important. Romelu will be a key player. Last time he started for us was in October, not because of quality or that we have any doubts we are better without him. He is unlucky to get injured.
“When he was struggling to come back in the schedule we have, he caught Covid. It [45 minutes] was more than the fitness and medical department recommended for him but we thought we could take the risk and be more offensive.”
Yet Tuchel admitted his celebrations are tempered because of his concerns surrounding his players’ health, having also lost N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva to injury.
He said: “It’s a big win but I’m always concerned for the health and safety of the players and that’s why you don’t see me fully excited.
“Normally you could catch huge momentum and push them but the only thing we are doing is checking on a daily basis who can be pushed.”
Speaking to Sky Sports before his press conference, Tuchel expressed his frustration with officials at the Premier League’s “green table”.
“I am very impressed with my players but super-concerned,” he said.
“Maybe we made a big mistake here letting players play after corona and one or two training sessions. But obviously they [the Premier League] made us play and so we play.
