Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel, has singled out N’Golo Kante and Kurt Zouma for praise ahead of his side’s Champions League last-16 first-leg clash with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night at National Arena in Romania.
Tuchel said he was very pleased with Kante and Zouma’s performances so far for the club.
The German handed Kante and Zouma their first Premier League starts under his tenure over the weekend in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Southampton.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Atletico Madrid, Tuchel was quoted by the Blues’ official website as saying: “It is a process and I have learnt a lot of positives about Zouma. I was very happy with Kurt’s performance.
“He performed his role at a top-level, which pleased me.”
“With N’Golo, I saw how well he’s been playing in training and of course, I have known about him for many years,” Tuchel added.
“I am very happy now that I am his coach and I have the chance to work with him every day.
“This guy, wow. He steals every ball that is around 10 metres. We need to use these balls better, when N’Golo steals and wins possession for us, we need to react quickly and use these to our advantage. We need to attack the space behind the last line better and we need to use our speed better to create more chances.
“I’ve learnt many things and as I said earlier, it is a process. I am seeing more and more of my squad and where we can improve. But specifically on N’Golo and Kurt, I’m very happy with them.”
Tuchel, has revealed his conversation with Winger, Callum Hudson-Odoi, ahead of his side’s Champions League last-16, first-leg tie with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night at National Arena in Romania. Anaedoonline.ng reports.
Tuchel also said he urged Hudson-Odoi to be more “reliable” for Chelsea’s squad when he comes on from the bench.
Recall that Hudson-Odoi was a bit disappointed to be named among the substitutes during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Southampton at St Mary’s over the weekend.
The 20-year-old was brought on for Tammy Abraham at the start of the second half after Takumi Minamino had put Southampton in front.
However, the England international lasted just 31 minutes before Hakim Ziyech replaced him in the 76 minutes.
“It’s not a big thing at all for me. I have spoken to Callum [Hudson-Odoi], and I have spoken to the whole group. Sometimes these things happen in football, and it was just my decision. Tuchel told Chelsea’s official website.
“Maybe I was harsh on him because he was on my side of the pitch, and I was up close to him, but I didn’t feel that he was really into the game.
“I did not think he was totally sharp, and that’s why I took a hard decision on him. But that decision was in the moment and for that day only. For me, this is absolutely not a big thing and only becomes one if people want to talk about it.
“Callum has been fantastic for me so far, and it is on him to show me that every game and every day in training. I want him to show me that he’s a reliable guy for the team when he comes on from the bench like he’s when he starts.”
Atlético Madrid have confirmed they will be without three first-team players for Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Chelsea.
The LaLiga leaders host Thomas Tuchel’s side in the first ‘home’ leg of their last 16 tie in Bucharest. But Diego Simeone will be without Jose Gimenez, Yannick Carrasco and Sime Vrsaljko.
Simeone has confirmed his travelling squad following their shock 2-0 defeat to Levante in the league.
Gimenez was forced off against Paco Lopez’s team. He has struggled with persistent muscle injuries since the start of 2021 and he will now join Carrasco and Vrsaljko on the sidelines.
Kieran Trippier is unavailable due to an ongoing FIFA suspension lasting until the end of the month, with Marcos Llorente in line to continue as an emergency right wing back.
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