Tuchel: Chelsea Face A Big Risk

LONDON: Thomas Tuchel criticized the English Premier League for putting his COVID-19-hit Chelsea at “huge risk” by forcing them to play against Wolves yesterday.

Chelsea drew 0-0 at Molineux while leaders Manchester City won 4-0 at Newcastle to further widen the gap at the top of the league.

Only four of the 10 matches that were in the original schedule could be played over the weekend following the COVID-19 case that hit Britain again.

English Premier League clubs will meet today to discuss measures to address the situation.

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Chelsea, whose applications to postpone the match were rejected, were only able to list 14 players excluding the goalkeeper yesterday, with N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Trevoh Chalobah having to be sent off despite not being fit enough.

“The health and safety of our players is threatened, not only because of COVID-10 but also physically,” Tuchel said.

Tuchel’s side are currently six points behind City, and the manager is unsure whether the next games against Brentford in the League Cup and Aston Villa will go ahead.

Defending champions City, meanwhile, strengthened their position at the top of the league after Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling found targets against Eddie Howe’s side at St James’ Park.

It was City’s 34th league win of the year, a new record for the most wins by a club in the English top league in a year.