Chelsea: Thomas Tuchel admits some stars felt ‘punished’ by training on their day off
‘Maybe some felt it was a punishment’: Thomas Tuchel admits he has risked upsetting Chelsea stars by cancelling their day off talks after Wolves capitulation, as he plays down his Marcos Alonso row
- Chelsea reported for an extra day’s training after their 2-2 draw with Wolves
- It was claimed that several players were irritated by Thomas Tuchel’s decision
- But the manager has insisted that the step was taken to keep his stars together
- Tuchel also confirmed his argument with Marcos Alonso ended in the first half
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Thomas Tuchel has admitted some of his Chelsea players may have felt they were being punished after having to report to training on what was supposed to be a day off, but insists the step was to keep the group together after their draw with Wolves.
It was reported in the aftermath of the dramatic game that a number of Tuchel’s squad were unhappy at being called in at the weekend for a light session.
And the manager has now confirmed that was indeed the case, although he has defended his decision and revealed he was keen to avoid splinters breaking out.
Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea stars felt punished for being dragged in for an extra day’s training
The Blues let a two-goal lead slip against Wolves after they conceded a last-gasp equaliser
At his pre-match press conference today ahead of his side’s next clash against Leeds, he said: ‘We came in. We planned a free day but after the disappointment, it was not like to punish them. It was normally a free day.
‘Of course, maybe some felt like it was a punishment, but it wasn’t. It was not the moment for a free day. I explained to them it was better to be together and to talk about it, than to go and everybody has their own opinion and own truth.
‘You have more risk to be in fragments if you are not here. We did very light training, we had a run together and spent time together discussing things, how we want to approach the next days.
Boss Tuchel explained his decision was taken to keep his squad together after their setback
‘A lot of players supported the Under-23s on the other pitch, which was very nice to see. It is what we are, a very open-minded, supportive group of players.’
Tuchel also conceded he endured a disagreement with Marcos Alonso during their fixture with Wolves, but said their altercation ‘started and ended in the first half’.
There have been widespread reports that the two men have fallen out, after full back Alonso was taken off at half-time at Stamford Bridge for tactical reasons.
His manager denied that was the case, and said any bad blood was now ‘solved’. A video on Twitter surfaced of Alonso giving the ball away against Wolves and failing to track back as quick as play was developing.
The row between Tuchel and Marcos Alonso was resolved in the first half, the boss insisted
Asked if the situation resolved, Tuchel said: ‘Yeah, for sure. Absolutely yes.
‘It started and ended in the first half. It was not continued at half-time, nothing else.
‘It was not continued at half-time and things are solved. That happens.’
