Chelsea’s 2022/23 pre-season campaign has been a bit of a disaster truth be told.
The Blues beat Club American in their first match, but were then defeated on penalties by Charlotte FC.
And on Sunday morning, things took a turn for the worse as Thomas Tuchel’s side were humiliated by London rivals Arsenal.
In the Florida Cup final, the Gunners ran out 4-0 winners thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Tuchel was absolutely fuming with his players after the game and raised doubts over Chelsea‘s ability to be competitive at the start of the 2022/23 season.
Tuchel slams Chelsea players after 4-0 loss to Arsenal
“I can not guarantee it,” he said when asked if the Blues would be ready for their Premier League opener away at Everton.
“I saw today a team in Arsenal who are mentally committed to an idea of playing, a level of exhaustion, a level of physical commitment that we could not match.
“Also, a level of mental commitment that we lacked because we have a lot of players who are thinking about leaving and looking at their options. We have players that have left and I think at the moment that’s obvious.”
Yeah, Tuchel is not a happy bunny and during the game versus Arsenal, he even had to intervene from the touchline when Malang Sarr appeared to complain about Timo Werner’s lack of effort.
The defender slightly overhit a pass into Werner, but the German striker barely moved a muscle in an attempt to keep it in play.
And in footage of the incident, you can see Tuchel appearing to gesture towards Sarr to keep his mouth shut…
Video: Tuchel steps in after Sarr complains about Werner
Tuchel telling Sar not to complain about Werner being lazy pic.twitter.com/CYbc9dphO4
— MRS𓃵 (@Okuluman) July 24, 2022
tuchel was telling malang sarr not to complain about werner’s attitude 😩😩😩😩😩😩 Timo doesn’t want to play for chelsea and its clear here pic.twitter.com/upvQrSIDSg
— JP STYLES 🎱 (@Jpstyles8) July 24, 2022
To be fair to Werner, it wasn’t the greatest pass from Sarr, although he could have at least dangled a leg out to try and keep the ball in play.
The former RB Leipzig striker recently hinted that he may seek a move away from Chelsea in the near future.
Werner on his Chelsea future
“First of all, the most important thing is that I am happy,” Werner said. “I am happy when I play and score goals. That’s the fact. I could be happy everywhere.
“It is clear I want to play more and I should play more to first be in good shape for the World Cup and, also, to have a chance to play at the World Cup.
“I think it doesn’t change anything whether it is a winter World Cup or in the summer. I think if I play half or the season or the whole season, I should play.”
Tuchel recently responded to the rather bold comments from one of Chelsea’s top earners.
Tuchel’s response to Werner’s comments
The Chelsea boss said: “I’m surprised, I would be very happy as a young guy having a contract at Chelsea Football Club. I would be one of the happiest people on the planet.
“Show quality, take your place and defend your place. I would be one of the happiest people on the planet having a contract with Chelsea. If he said this, I do not understand.”
Oh to be a fly on the wall in the Chelsea dressing room right now…
