https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/01/29/
azpilicueta-reveals-tuchel-s-message-to-the-players
Azpilicueta reveals Tuchel's message to the players
29 Jan 2021
Cesar Azpilicueta has shared what Thomas Tuchel told the team during his
first week as Chelsea head coach and discussed the importance of the
players taking responsibility for improving results.
https://i.imgur.com/zKgSxrH.jpg
Tuchel joined the Blues on Tuesday, just 24 hours before his first match
as our head coach against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and our club captain
has revealed what the German has been telling his players over the last
few days.
'Since he arrived, he made it clear what he wanted from us,' said
Azpilicueta. 'He said that he was very happy to manage this group of
talented players, experienced players. We have a good mix of everything
and he wanted to achieve the targets that we want, to do it all together.
https://i.imgur.com/YFcQNDm.jpg
Tuchel passes on tactical instructions to Azpilicueta during the 0-0 draw
with Wolves
'We are halfway through the season, we still have lots to play for and we
have our objectives, and we know playing for this club always requires
high standards every single day. Obviously, we will try to do it all
together.'
The Spanish defender was also clear that everyone at Chelsea still
believes a top-four finish is possible, securing another season of
Champions League football. However, he acknowledges achieving that goal
will require improvement from the players, something he hopes will be
helped by the added motivation of working with a new head coach and
individuals starting from scratch in trying to prove themselves to their
boss.
'We have to try to be there and we know we have to keep improving. At the
moment, we are not in the position that we should be. If we are where we
are now, it's because we didn't deserve more until this moment, so we have
to work hard, we have to work together.
https://i.imgur.com/fEiaZdd.jpg
Azpilicueta trains ahead of this weekend's match with Burnley
'We have a couple of days to prepare for the game against Burnley on
Sunday and everybody is ready to fight and to give their best because we
are excited to work with him and we have to give everything.
'When a new manager arrives, we all have to be open, we all start from
zero. We have to give everything and now we have an exciting four months
ahead where we have a lot to play for and hopefully we can achieve what we
want.'
Azpilicueta was quick to point out it is not all down the Tuchel and his
coaching staff, though, with the players needing to take responsibility to
improve results and fight for each other to succeed in the second half of
the season.
'Our job is to do the work on the pitch, to improve ourselves. We always
have our responsibility, of course, because we are the ones who go on the
pitch and we are not getting results,' explained our captain. 'We don't
get away from that and I know we have to improve and I know that we have
to step up and give more because we are in the position where we can't
waste any time or any games.
'We try to get into a better position, to get the confidence back,
everybody together and we have to be a strong group. We know that every
time we lose a game for Chelsea it means that we are not doing what
Chelsea should do.
'Everybody in the dressing room, we are all together and we are fully
committed. The dressing room is strong and together to fight for
everything.'