Thomas Tuchel has sent Anthony Taylor and his refereeing team a quick message ahead of the weekend’s London derby in the Premier League between Chelsea and Tottenham.
This message coincides at a time whereby the hugely unpopular Anthony Taylor with Blues supporters will be overseeing the clash between the two London rivals. Taylor’s unpopularity with Chelsea fans stems back to a history of decisions that have ultimately cost the west Londoners in various fixtures down the years.
Last season for example, Taylor officiated Thomas Tuchel’s side as they drew 1-1 at Anfield on matchday two of the league season, and he sent off Reece James for handball before halftime. That was just one instance where Chelsea fans have felt hard done by due to Taylor. The 43-year-old also sent off Mateo Kovacic in the 2020 FA Cup final with a harsh decision, missed Emi Martinez’s handball outside the box in the same game, and didn’t give a handball call against Alexis Sanchez as he went on to score in the 2017 final, as well as giving a freekick against Chelsea for a kung-fu challenge on Marcos Alonso in 2019 against Tottenham.
Chelsea supporters have already voiced their concerns on social media in regards to this appointment. It’s interesting to note that Mike Dean will be on VAR and Peter Banks will have to be the official that deals with both Tuchel and Antonio Conte on the touchline this weekend.
Tuchel himself has a history of criticising Premier League refereeing decisions in the year and a bit he has been Blues manager, including in the 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge last season. Funnily enough, it was a game where now new signing Marc Cucurella caught the eyes of the German as the Spanish full-back starred for Graham Potter’s side on that occasion.
“The ball is going into the net, why does he need to whistle before the ball is over the line? Why? We have VAR to check, why can we not wait? If he decides then it is a foul then decide it but why is he so sure? Does he want to keep the tension up?,” Tuchel questioned in his post-match press conference. “The penalty is a joke, honestly a joke, not to interfere from VAR.”
When the dust settles, usually managers’ opinions on refereeing decisions brush over their heads with more pressing issues to focus on. Ahead of this weekend though, Tuchel has sent a message to all the officials that will be involved in what is expected to be a fiery London derby.
He told Soccer AM:”I feel sorry! Sometimes they have to suffer with us coaches and with me.” Taylor himself refereed the game week 1 clash on opening night at Selhurst Park between Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
