Andreas Christensen reveals Thomas Tuchel masterplan – and what’s still to come
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Andreas Christensen says Thomas Tuchel’s plan to turn things around at Chelsea is running like clockwork without his players even having to think about it.
The Blues are unbeaten in 12 games under Tuchel and face Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League tomorrow with a 1-0 lead after the first leg.
And Christensen reckons he and his team-mates are so well drilled by the German and his coaching staff they could execute his instructions with their eyes close.
The Denmark defender said: “It’s just being very, very clear in what they want, and if they want something different, they’re just going to let you know.
“They’re not beating around the bush – they know how they want it, there’s a plan.
“Even what we do in training – the exercises and stuff – you might not feel it, but in your subconscious the message is coming through.
“It’s a weird thing, but it just works. Developing habits, without you even probably knowing it’s happening.
“It’s a good feeling and I don’t think we’re done yet – we’re still learning and building as a team and we all know that.
“We are definitely moving in the right direction and I think that’s what’s most important right now.”
Chelsea are playing a high-tempo counter-pressing game under Tuchel and have not conceded a goal in five games by defending front the front.
Christensen told the club's matchday programme: “That’s massively important. The back three have a massive responsibility to push the team up, and we have to be there as well.
“The striker is only the first defender, and I think that’s what’s great about the team right now. We are working really hard together and we want to win the ball high.
“That’s when people express themselves more, because there’s more space and the other teams are more open.
“The reason we’ve been solid as a team is that we’ve been working hard as a team, with a high press and sometimes suffering together if we have to.
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“I think it’s inevitable, with the players we have, that they’re always going to have their moments, with the skills and the talent that we’ve got here.
“As we get better and better as a team, people are going to express themselves in every way they can. I think we can look forward to that even more.
“As a defender, when you work hard as a team it makes it easier, and the back three are praising the work they do up front a lot, because a lot of the time we don’t have to do anything if they win the ball high!”
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- Chelsea FC
- Atletico Madrid FC
- Champions League
- Thomas Tuchel
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