What were your thoughts on a disappointing performance?
Disappointed because we didn’t start the game well and the feeling is they start better than us, more energy than us, we didn’t match their energy. I think they were better. I think we create chances enough, we draw the first half 1-1, we had some good chances that we should score and be more clinical, that was the problem. Second half we start well but then we concede and of course then you need the energy to be more aggressive. We had some chances but not enough to be in the game again. Overall, I think my feeling is that they were better than us.
How worried should people be about the performance? Are you worried about the league position?
It’s similar than in the last few weeks and weeks ago, months ago. Of course we need to improve in our position in the table. At the same time there is the reality that we perform well until Newcastle and we didn’t get what we deserve. Of course, Newcastle and today I think the result is fair. Yes, not worried because there are too many circumstances that we you need to put why we didn’t perform. To play vs Brighton with one less for 60 minutes, I think really affects a little bit the energy and the performances of the players. Then too many players injured, we need to recover them as soon as possible to be more competitive and to have options and to play the team that we want. That is not an excuse, it’s only that. They were better, yes. Which percentage? Maybe 10% more than us but I think we need to be focused get the team to recover and be ready for Sunday.
Balance of the team with Marc Cucurella, then replaced with Reece James, was that an issue in the first half?
It was 1-1 in the first half but we cannot play with Reece for 90 minutes, that’s why it was the decision. We got we wanted in the second half to use more the right side to attack. This is the captain. I don’t think it was a problem with some player or the situation of the team, it was that they showed more energy and we didn’t match the energy from the beginning.
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Stuck in 10th spot, is that good enough for Chelsea given the money that was spent or is that too easy?
Football is about to perform. We show the reality on the pitch. We are not going to change what we were saying from the beginning of the season. It is difficult. Even with all of the players fit, we knew it would be difficult but when you have half of the squad out and they cannot help to increase the level, it is difficult. It is difficult to talk because it is unfair. That is the reality and we need to be with player and you were talking wrong about certain player that arrive, massive pressure to perform, it is about time. A few days ago we were talking about a fantastic performance, all going well and today because we lose we will not change our speech now. We need to be calm, keep going working and for sure try to help the team to improve and be more competitive and consistent when the players we have outside can be with us and be part of the squad.
What is your emotion tonight, you were angry after Newcastle?
Now is not the same because I think we miss players, we play nearly with the same players against Brighton, with one less for 60 minutes. One day more rest for Manchester United to prepare the game. See the bench, many young players try to help us. That is not an excuse but we need to talk about the reality and that is the reality. I am not disappointed because they gave everything but maybe we didn’t match their energy, they were a little bit more aggressive than us. We were competitive as we created chances, maybe enough to draw the game. But when the result is 2-1 and you get nothing, you get more critics and try to find different reason why we didn’t win. I think we need to be calm, keep going, trying to help the players and now we need to lift all of the players because we need to be ready Sunday.
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
