Craig Burley went on a terrific rant in response to suggestions that certain Chelsea forwards have been unhappy with Thomas Tuchel’s treatment of them.
Speaking, or rather raging, on ESPN, Burley bombarded those reportedly upset by Tuchel with some typically choice words.
The Scotsman’s seething tones had been caused by an article from The Athletic, who claimed yesterday that a handful of Chelsea’s attackers have not responded well to their manager’s methods.
Tuchel takes on the team
The Athletic state that Tuchel’s treatment of the offensive contingent is ‘brutal’, with the players being made well aware if they make mistake or miss a shot in training.
Although his demeanour in interviews and meetings with the media is generally calm and collected, the German coach knows how to let rip whilst standing on the touchline.
Against Brighton & Hove Albion, the Blues boss was spotted lambasting Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso, then turned away in disgust at a loose Jorginho pass.
Although the two defenders and midfielder got an earful on the night, this isn’t to say the strikers escaped similar punishment as well.
In fairness, Tuchel has every right to be angry with his centre-forwards this season.
Club-record signing Romelu Lukaku: eight goals in 24 games. Mason Mount: seven in 31. Timo Werner: six in 19. Hakim Ziyech: six in 24. Kai Havertz: 5 in 25. Callum Hudson-Odoi: three in 25.
These figures do not make for fine reading, nor do they defend against Tuchel’s apparent anger towards those producing such relatively poor numbers.
Wind Burley up and let him go
When asked about the idea of there being multiple disgruntled band members at Chelsea, Burley hit back with a barrage of almost poetic statements.
“I was frightened of some coaches shouting at me, when I was ten! When I was growing up! Before I even went to secondary school, I used to be frightened of them,” proclaimed the former Blues midfielder.
“Not as a professional footballer, not as a grown man being paid a lot of money.
“We’ve seen some horrible things in dressing rooms.
“I’m not saying it’s right, but the tensions are high, the pressures on, jobs are on the line, players have bad games, managers lose the plot, coaches lose the plot. It’s all part and parcel of it.
“All this complaining that Thomas Tuchel’s been a little brutal about my finishing and it’s making me second guess what I’m doing.
“Well, second guess it and get on a flight and sod off. Because if you can’t take criticism or a bit of balling and shouting from a manager, you shouldn’t be playing the game.”
Don’t shout too loudly, Craig, you might upset the Chelsea squad…
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