MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 21:13:03| >> :60:600:600:
[monks data]
Zenit St Petersburg
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 8, 2021 at 5.45pm UK
Petrovsky Stadium
Chelsea logo

Zenit
3 - 3
Chelsea

Claudinho (38'), Azmoun (41'), Ozdoyev (90+4')
Lovren (60')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Werner (2', 85'), Lukaku (62')
Hudson-Odoi (37')

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel supports Saul Niguez ahead of start against Zenit

Tuchel supports Saul ahead of start against Zenit
© Reuters
Head coach Thomas Tuchel says that Saul Niguez is 'always in his thinking' ahead of the Chelsea midfielder making a start against Zenit St Petersburg.

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has backed Saul Niguez to improve over the coming weeks, acknowledging that the midfielder has sometimes struggled with the "intensity" of English football.

The Atletico Madrid loanee has been provided with just four starts and two substitute outings since making the temporary switch to Stamford Bridge.

However, while the 27-year-old was withdrawn at half time of last week's fixture at Watford, Tuchel feels that the game at Vicarage Road was another match which did not suit the Spaniard.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Tuchel said: "He is one of the guys who needs minutes and rhythm. He is always in our thinking. We always reflect on every single training session and performance. He is one of the guys we think about, of course.

"I think he has struggled a bit with the intensity. I think he was a bit unlucky in that he played against Aston Villa, Southampton and Watford, and all three, if you look at the data, were high-intensity games, above the average in the Premier League.

"They did not suit his main qualities, but we try to encourage him because he grows into Chelsea more and more, and we will try to bring out the best and help the team."

Tuchel revealed that there is "a high chance" of Saul being handed a start against Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

ID:472185:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect2122:
Written by
Darren Plant
No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Thomas Tuchel

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Game History

How you voted: Zenit vs Chelsea

Zenit St Petersburg
12.8%
Draw
11.3%
Chelsea
75.9%
452
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel during the game with Watford on December 1, 2021.
Read Next:
Tuchel: 'I will rotate Chelsea squad for Zenit game'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool660018
2Barcelona650115
3B. Leverkusen641113
4Inter Milan641113
5Brest641113
6Arsenal641113
7Aston Villa641113
8Lille641113
9Bayern640212
10Dortmund640212
11Atletico640212
12AC Milan640212
13Atalanta632111
14Juventus632111
15Benfica631210
16Feyenoord631210
17Brugge631210
18Monaco631210
19Sporting Lisbon631210
20Real Madrid63039
21Celtic62319
22Man City62228
23PSV62228
24Dinamo Zagreb62228
25PSG62137
26Stuttgart62137
27Shakhtar61144
28Sparta Prague61144
29Sturm Graz61053
30Girona61053
31Red Star61053
32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
34RB Leipzig60060
35Slovan Bratislava60060
36Young Boys60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!