Here is your Chelsea morning digest on Thursday, April 21.
Tuchel makes bizarre pitch claim
Thomas Tuchel seemed to blame the Stamford Bridge pitch for Chelsea's 4-2 loss to Arsenal last night. Eddie Nketiah’s first-ever Gunners brace, Bukayo Saka’s penalty and a neat Emile Smith Rowe finish picked apart a sloppy Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Chelsea have now leaked 11 goals in their last three matches at Stamford Bridge, and Tuchel was far from impressed after the game. In fact, he seemed to blame the pitch for some of the goals conceded.
"To say the pitch is difficult to play here it maybe sounds like an excuse, but it is a very, very difficult pitch that we have here," the German said. "It's not in our favour.
READ MORE: Every word a frustrated Thomas Tuchel said on Chelsea mistakes, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Lukaku
"The ball bounces very awkwardly in front of Andreas [Christensen] when he wants to play this ball. But still, we had the same mistake against Real Madrid that cost us the next round of the Champions League, and this one cost us the next match. I can't remember when we got two goals like this."
Read more here.
Steve Pagliuca and Larry Tanenbaum Chelsea pledge
Chelsea bidders Steve Pagliuca and Larry Tanenbaum have made a pledge to long-term commitment in potentially buying the football club. The billionaires have experience in sports ownership, already putting money into the Boston Celtics and Toronto Maple Leafs in America.
Speaking to Sky News, Pagliuca said: “Larry and I have known each other for over 20 years and we are committed to this being a lifetime ownership. It is a long-term commitment that both families want to make.”
Read more here.
Chelsea loanee transfer decision
Chelsea loanee Emerson Palmeiri has given Thomas Tuchel a transfer decision to make as he claims he would like to stay with Lyon following the conclusion of his loan spell at the club. The Italy international is contracted with the Blues until 2024.
Speaking to Footmercato, he said: “Of course, yes, I have no problem saying that I can stay at OL [Olympique Lyon]. It’s a pleasure to be here. There are different factors. It doesn’t just depend on me. There are still six games to play, and then I will have an answer to give you all.”
Read more here.
