Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel outlines Marina Granovskaia target after Crystal Palace win

Crystal Palace v Chelsea: Match in pictures

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel lifted the lid on a target he has been set by Marina Granovskaia after his side beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park. Goals from Kai Havertz, Kurt Zouma and a Christian Pulisic brace ensured the Blues secured maximum points from the London rivals.

The result takes Chelsea up to fourth in the Premier League table and Tuchel revealed the target Granovskaia set him when he replaced Frank Lampard in January.

“Of course I came to England for the targets which was to finish in the top four,” he said.

“We have our own way to go. We need results continually. We had a set-back last week but it is not the moment to look at other teams all the time.

“We are in the middle of the race. It’s the target to finish there but it will be tough until the last end.”

Tuchel guided his side to a 14-match unbeaten run but that came to a brutal end with a 5-2 loss to West Brom last weekend.

On the win over Palace, he added: “The first half an hour was excellent. We were very hungry, very aggressive and got a lot of recoveries in the final third. It was a deserved lead. After 35 minutes we dropped a little in position and got a little bit sloppy.

“We continued like this a little in the second half but it was a good reaction after their goal. We created a lot of chances and didn’t concede any big chances.

“Clearly we had many chances today. The guys were hungry and creative. We had a lot of good runs and good movement.

“We put pressure on ourselves to have the right response. It was a step in the right direction.

“I am not disappointed [with Kai Havertz] but he could have actually scored more. He had two big chances to finish the game off. This is the way.

“He has absolute quality. He needs to show his quality and that is the challenge for him.”

“Everything was bad against West Brom,” Tuchel reflected. “The result was horrible but the stats were not as bad.

“Today we were very hungry, full of confidence and wanted to play a very aggressive game in terms of high recoveries. We were totally focused. It was good with the attitude today.

“It’s a part of our DNA to be aggressive and should be. We showed that today.”

Havertz said: “Of course I’m happy but the most important thing is that we won. It was a good game from us, we could’ve scored more goals but we are really happy.

“In my position you always want to score. It wasn’t easy, we created many chances and we maybe should’ve scored more but we are happy. I think I have the freedom to go where I want to go and I hope I can continue like that. In the second half, I had one or two good chances to score but of course, I’m happy.

“It’s always easy to play with players that have this quality but after winning 4-1, it’s easy to say you are a good attacking team – but we have to go again and after the season we can speak about it.

“I think I have to prove it in more games but I will give my best and try to improve and I will continue like that.”

Source: Read Full Article