Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Thomas Tuchel lets rip at Chelsea stars as Raheem Sterling makes debut, Conor Gallagher has horror penalty miss in loss

Raheem Sterling Chelsea debut

Thomas Tuchel let rip at his Chelsea players after their woeful performance against Charlotte FC overnight, which included a debut for Raheem Sterling and an embarrassing penalty miss for Conor Gallagher.

The Blues took the lead at the Bank of America Stadium in the early hours of Thursday morning thanks to Christian Pulisic’s 30th-minute strike against the Major League Soccer outfit.

However, a Chelsea team that included the likes of Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, Conor Gallagher, Kai Havertz and Sterling in the second half failed to kick-on.

They conceded an injury-time penalty after Trevor Chalobah’s handball and then lost a shoot-out 5-3, which included a horror miss from Gallagher.

Speaking after the game, a frustrated Tuchel said: “In general, I would say we played a good first half. But unfortunately, only 80 metres of the pitch. The last 20 metres of the pitch were not good enough.

“We found a lot of spaces to accelerate and penetrate the box. But we struggled with our decision-making and precision in the last 20 metres.

“This was simply not good enough for the effort and quality we showed in the first 80 metres of the pitch and the amount of space we had, and the number of attacks we created.

“Second half, it took us half an hour to show some quality and then it was maybe for ten minutes, so it was not good at all.

“Not offensively, not structure-wise, not in effort, hunger to be the dominant team. It was not good enough.”

Sterling makes Chelsea bow

Sterling, who signed from Manchester City last week, did show some glimpses of his quality. Indeed, he lined up in a trio with Kai Havertz and Mount against Charlotte.

And when asked if that trio is potentially the strongest they have, Tuchel admitted: “I didn’t see it today. So, it doesn’t matter what I have in my mind.

“The only thing that matters is what I see on the pitch. I saw four accelerations in the second half and they all came from Raheem.

“This is what he delivers and there is no need for major doubts or huge criticism, but it is never important what the manager has in his head before pre-season.

“It’s the reality that counts. Every day in training and matches like this count and from there we go.”

Missing Werner has Chelsea future

Timo Werner missed the game with a slight hamstring injury, having admitted last week he was unhappy with his game time.

And when asked about the German’s future, Tuchel added: “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. He needs to get his game time by showing 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.”

Asked to clarify if Werner is part of his plans for next season, Tuchel added: “Sure, he is our player, sure.”

The Blues finish their US tour with a game against Arsenal in Orlando on Saturday.

READ MORE: Chelsea close in on Jules Kounde as defender misses training