Ahead of the start of the new Premier League season, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has a big decision ahead of him.
The Blues’ pre-season schedule has now concluded following two separate wins against Italian outfit Udinese, the first seeing them win 3-1 and the second 2-0.
Saturday evening will see them travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in their opening match of the new campaign.
However, despite ending pre-season on a high, Tuchel has claimed that his side are not yet ready for the forthcoming season: “We trained a lot this week, especially two days ago so we did not have the freshest legs. But we have a lot of positive things to take away from this game.
“It’s a good performance, it’s a good result, we could’ve scored much more, should’ve scored much more.
“But overall, it’s a lot of positive stuff to take away from this.
“Tomorrow (Saturday), we play another match here against Udinese, another team, to have minutes in our legs. Then it’s two days break. Then we prepare nothing else but Everton because they are right in front of the door and we need to improve, we are not ready yet.
“We don’t have to be ready yet, we have another week and then it’s the time to be on the best level and there’s still some way to go.”
Chelsea’s first win against Udinese was a stark improvement from the 4-0 thrashing by Arsenal just days prior.
Goals from N’Golo Kante, Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount were enough for them to claim victory at the Dacia Arena.
Tuchel opted for a strong starting lineup against the Serie A side, and the quality showed throughout most of the match.
Upon kick-off Mount, Kai Havertz and Sterling all started up front for the Blues, and the trio could be the go-to choice to lead the attack this season.
Throughout much of the first half all three were linking up well, with Mount teeing Sterling up nicely inside the opening five minutes, although the latter was unable to convert.
A few minutes later, Chelsea’s no.19 found Havertz in space on the edge of the area but the German saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper.
Just a few minutes before half-time, Sterling was able to net his first goal in blue.
It was far from his best finish, but the 27-year-old was still on hand to net the rebound from his initial effort.
Sterling could have had a second in the second half, but Havertz’s pass was just behind the England international, and he was unable to score with an ambitious back-heel.
He then hit the post from the German’s neat pass, capping off a frustrating yet successful night in a Chelsea shirt.
Both Havertz and Sterling was substituted in the latter stages of the game and Mount remained on the pitch for the rest of the match, scoring his side’s third of the evening in the 90th minute.
Overall, the attacking trio performed well and looked sharp on the ball.
The connection between Mount and Sterling was apparent to see, with the duo now set to competitively play for both club and country.
Havertz also did well for the Blues and if he was to improve his finishing, then Chelsea could have a deadly attack on their hands.
Tuchel does have depth in the attacking positions at his disposal, but many of them struggled at times last season.
Sterling’s arrival could change their fortunes though, and if Mount is able to repeat his numbers from last season and Havertz can consistently find the back of the net, then Chelsea could be set for more success.
