Thomas Tuchel Reacts To Chelsea’s Disappointing 2-1 Defeat To Southampton.

Chelsea suffered their second away successive defeat in Premier League in the South Coast on Tuesday night.

Chelsea have been hampered by injuries and suspensions during August with Ruben Loftus-Cheek the latest victim, forced to come off at half-time for Mateo Kovacic, who has only just returned to training.

Reece James was also ill and missed the game against Southampton at the St Mary's, and was joined on the sidelines by Tevoh Chalobah. The centre-back was nursing a knock sustained at the weekend in a clash with Jamie Vardy.  While Conor Gallagher was suspended after being sent off against Leicester on Saturday.

Raheem Sterling opened the scoring with his third goal in two games for the Blues in the 23rd minute, but the lead only lasted for five minutes, as goals from Romeo Lavia and Adam Armstrong just before the first had break, saw the hosts come from behind to win 2-1.

It was the first time in over three years that a Thomas Tuchel's side has lost successive games on away soil. 

The Blues have now taken only seven points from their first five games which leaves them in eighth and languishing off the top-four pace. They could see in-form league leaders Arsenal go eight points clear if they succeed at beating Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Following their incredible performance which earned them all three points, the Saints leapfrogged Chelsea in the table and now sit seventh on seven points.

Chelsea, although on the same points tally, will be bitterly disappointed with how they have started the new 2022-23 season with five games so far, 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 defeats.

What Tuchel Said:

Speaking after the game, Tuchel showed concern for his side who have looked very unconvincing in the recent matches, he criticised his side's toughness and mentality. "We are not tough enough to win these matches away." He told Sky Sports.

"It was the same story in Leeds, there we thought the problem was we didn't score in the first 25 minutes and then they pushed us off-balance in two minutes with two goals and we could not find any answers.

"Today, we scored so everything was okay but one set piece again, one sloppy defending again, we were off-balance and we did not react to it. We were lucky not to concede a third goal at the beginning of the second half. We were not tough enough as a team to react or push it over the line for us.

"I don't know if concern is the right word. I absolutely dislike to lose, it is the second time this season and I don't think it takes a lot to beat us and this I don't like... He added

"The line is so thin before excuses and explanations and I don't want to go down this road because I don't want to give anybody – myself, staff, players – any room for excuses. The closing of the transfer window will help as we know the commitment."

Tuchel feels close to being sacked for the first time as the Blues boss, but there’s no doubt that unless his win percentage improves, he won’t last the season.

Chelsea new owner Todd Boehly has already spent well over £150m on five new players this summer, including bringing in Raheem Sterling from Man City.

Even though there is less than two days before the window’s deadline, Chelsea are still targeting as many as three new players.

That’s according to a recent report from ESPN, who claims Tuchel ‘remains hopeful’ of landing Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and is continuing to target Everton’s Anthony Gordon, as well as Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha.

None of these deals will be easy to get across the line though.

What next for Chelsea?

The London club will be desperate to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they play hosts to city rivals, West Ham, in a derby game at Stamford Bridge.