‘I am not a specialist’: Thomas Tuchel doubles down on state of pitch at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is clearly not happy with the state of the pitch at Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has reiterated his belief that the state of the pitch at Stamford Bridge is going against his team ahead of the game against West Ham United on Sunday.

The Blues boss was visibly upset with the pitch after the 4-2 defeat to Arsenal in midweek and told reporters that he was not happy with his players playing on such a pitch.

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Chelsea have lost their last three games played at Stamford Bridge which includes the home defeat to Real Madrid, Brentford and Arsenal.

Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel shouts instructions to his players from the touchline  (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel shouts instructions to his players from the touchline  (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel shouts instructions to his players from the touchline (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel’s side have crashed out of the Champions League despite a heroic performance in the second leg in Madrid that almost got them through to the last four of this season’s competition.

They will come up against West Ham United who have an eye on their Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt next Thursday but will be desperate to get one over Chelsea before that.

Asked if he still felt that criticising the state of the pitch after a defeat in London derby was worth it and what exactly was the issue, the  German manager explained he was just stating the facts, as he is not a specialist.

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The Chelsea boss said: “I don’t know, I am not a specialist on it. We are looking at the highest level in every department.

I know everybody is trying hard. I said it because the first goal was a mistake from Andreas (Christensen) but the mistake was because of a funny bounce of the ball and we had more of them in the game.

“It was a bit awkward to play and calculate the speed and bounce of the ball.

“This one has a clear relationship. It’s like this so that was it.

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“I know everybody is working hard in every department and wants to provide the best level. So we try to keep on going.”

The Blues will hope to return to winning ways when they host the Irons on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League.

A third straight defeat for the first time at home in the league would be the first time since the 1990’s and Thomas Tuchel won’t want to be dragged into a top four scuffle after being in third place almost the entire season.