Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has labelled tomorrow’s night clash with Leeds United as ‘do or die’ for the Whites. Leeds currently sit in the bottom three for the first time since October heading into the meeting at Elland Road but can climb above Burnley if they avoid defeat.
If the Whites come away empty handed, however, their situation at the bottom of the table will begin to look very bleak, as Burnley would be ahead of them on goal difference, with a game in hand. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Tuchel understands how big Wednesday evening is for Leeds, but is looking forward to a cup-tie like atmosphere.
Via quotes from Football London, he said: “This is a match for them when it's like do or die. It's like a cup match and the atmosphere will be like this. I'm looking forward to it actually. I've played there once but it was without spectactors. We will feel it straight away so we will need to step up.”
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Just a few weeks ago, Chelsea appeared as though they had a place in the top four all but mathematically secure. However, a run of just one win in five matches means that a defeat against Leeds would blow the race wide open with Arsenal and Tottenham breathing heavily behind their necks.
After an opening to the season that had promised so much, a combination of injuries and issues off the pitch has slightly derailed their campaign. Tuchel admitted that his side have looked ‘drained’ in recent weeks, but wants his side at a better level than in their last two matches.
He said: “We look a bit drained, tired mentally. You look at our games and it's understandable. We had some big knockout games after the international break with huge emotional impact. Losing to Real Madrid, beating Real Madrid but still being out of the Champions League.
“It's another reason and everybody knows it. Still, even being tired and distracted, we need to reach a certain level and we can do better than in the last two matches. The motivation was very high to turn things around against Wolves, it was maybe almost too high as we attacked with defenders and opened spaces for counter attacks.
“So there are good signs and we still trust the team, our players, and trust what brought us here. Now is the time to stay calm and take it step by step.”
Tuchel also provided an injury update on a couple of players who missed the 2-2 draw with Wolves at the weekend. He is hopeful that midfield pairing Jorginho and N’Golo Kante will be fit enough to be in contention.
He said: “We're fighting for Jorgi and N'Golo tomorrow but I don't know if they'll make it.”
