Chelsea labeled "substandard team" after shocking UCL defeat
Written By
Ernest SundayA passionate sports journalist with an eye for detail.
An early goal from Dinamo Zagreb's striker Mislav Oršić handed Chelsea their first defeat in this season's UEFA Champions League, compounding their poor start to the season.
Despite the Premier League side starting their new striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, in a position that has been tipped to be the missing piece in Thomas Tuchel's team, the Blues were unable to respond to an early goal against the Purgeri.
The humiliating loss against the Croatian champions makes it Chelsea's third defeat in their last five matches and leaves them with 10 points from six games in the premier league table.
Following the defeat, Thomas Tuchel's side have been labeled a "substandard team" by talkSPORT pundit Jason Cundy, who claimed the manager would have been sacked if it was in the era of the former owner, Roman Abramovich.
"Let's talk about tonight's performance, substandard," Jason Cundy said on talkSPORT radio live. "No way near good enough, a mile away from it all over the pitch.
"Lack of creativity, genuine belief, idea, and know-how. It was a dull, uninspiring, and really tough watch," he added.
Despite signing a plethora of new players this summer, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has yet to get his team up and running and was tipped to be under pressure following Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Southampton at Saint Mary's Stadium.
Despite acquiring quality replacements, at least on paper, for some of his departed first-team players, including former Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly, new left-back Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana from Leicester City, and Carney Chukwuemeka, Tuchel has been unable to produce outstanding performances from his team.
According to Sky Sports, Thomas Tuchel, who lost his 100th game as Chelsea manager last night, has conceded 53 goals in his last 50 games, more than the 24 he conceded in his first 50.
Such statistics appear to be concerning for the 49-year-old German tactician, whose job may be under threat due to their recent poor performances.
Chelsea will travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., hoping to bounce back from their Champions League defeat.