Your morning Chelsea digest from football.london on Sunday, November 6th.
Tuchel explains Boehly actions
Thomas Tuchel has admitted that he wasn't expecting to be sacked by Chelsea after their loss to Dinamo Zagreb in September.
The boss has nearly been out of a job for two months and has since seen Graham Potter take over at Stamford Bridge after 19-months in charge at SW6. Tuchel, who has been targeted by Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in the past weeks, is still out of a job.
Speaking about Todd Boehly's decision to relieve him of his duties, Tuchel said, "I loved every day at Chelsea.
"It came to an end too early for me. But it was out of my hands."
READ MORE: What Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has said about Mikel Arteta and how the Arsenal manager hit back
Tuchel was in charge as the ownership change happened in a whirlwind couple of months in London and looks back fondly on his spell, albeit shorter than expected. "I had a fantastic relationship with the players. We had a fantastic relationship with all the staff.
"We had overcome an incredibly demanding time in change of ownership and being sanctioned [by the UK government]. And before that we had COVID-19.
Read the full story, here.
Merson gives worrying prediction
Paul Merson thinks the title-race is over for Chelsea already as the Blues enter a huge London derby 10 points behind Arsenal.
Potter's side are coming off the back of just two points from their last three games and face in-form Arsenal. In a column for Sportskeeda, Merson claimed that a title race is out of the Blues' sight now. The former Arsenal midfielder wrote: "This is a massive game for both teams, for different reasons.
"If Arsenal win, they will go 13 points clear of Chelsea. Let’s be realistic now – Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea aren’t talking about winning the Premier League title. The title race is over for them, and they’re looking for a top-four finish.
"If Arsenal win this game, they’d have to lose five football matches for Chelsea to catch them, and that’s if Chelsea don’t lose themselves. This is a big game for Arsenal, and they’ll need to avoid defeat. They need to make sure they’re not flat-track bullies."
Read the full story, here.
Chilwell World Cup hopes ended
Ben Chilwell will not be part of the England squad for the World Cup as his scan returned 'significant' injury to his hamstring.
The defender was helped off the field in the final minute of Chelsea's Champions League triumph against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday after pulling up following a late sprint.
Chilwell will now miss the Qatar World Cup after having his early season minutes managed due to recovering from a serious knee injury from 12-months ago that kept him out for most of last term.
Read the full story, here.
READ NEXT:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sends sly Arsenal message ahead of Mikel Arteta reunion with Chelsea
Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea vs Arsenal, Kepa, Chilwell, Kovacic, Aubameyang and more
Graham Potter gives Ben Chilwell injury update as Chelsea face anxious wait ahead of Arsenal
Todd Boehly can complete four Chelsea transfers in January to solve big Graham Potter problems
Graham Potter has six-man Chelsea question for Arsenal clash as Denis Zakaria announces himself
