https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/03/02/
tuchel-updates-on-kepa-s-mental-state-and-praises-lukaku-s-impac
Tuchel updates on Kepa's mental state and praises Lukaku's impact off the bench
02 Mar 2022
Thomas Tuchel says the reaction of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after his
penalty miss in Sunday's Carabao Cup final has been impressive and he is
focused ahead of tonight's clash with Luton.
https://i.imgur.com/DQYVQWD.jpg
Like in the Carabao Cup final, the boss again has a selection choice to
make for goalie this evening, with Kepa and Edou Mendy both in contention.
Kepa started our previous game in the FA Cup against Plymouth, while
Marcus Bettinelli played there in the third round against Chesterfield.
'Kepa or Edou? I don't want to give away the line-up yet,' the boss
responded when asked who will start in between the sticks. 'The decision
has already been made, the goalkeepers know about it, but I don't want to
give it away yet.'
https://i.imgur.com/waOIqBn.jpg
Tuchel was supportive regarding the mentality and confidence of Kepa, who
was the only Blues player to miss a penalty at Wembley last Sunday.
'He brought us to Wembley. We needed already two penalty shoot-outs and he
saved the decisive penalties for us,' Tuchel said. 'So he was hugely
involved and responsible that we had this final. He won the penalty
shoot-out in the Super Cup. He is responsible that we have a match today
because he saves the penalty against Plymouth in extra time.
'So he did his job in a fantastic manner, but the penalties were well
taken and the momentum was not on our side in the shoot-out. To blame a
goalkeeper for missing would be like if you blame an outfield player for
not saving a penalty,' he added.
https://i.imgur.com/cUl7OFS.jpg
Kepa had the full support of his team-mates
'It is simply not his job and it's almost like tossing a coin in the end
if all the penalties are taken so well. So there was no blame on him,
absolutely no blame.'
The Bavarian also said he has been impressed by the Spaniard's reaction
having watched him train at Cobham in the build-up to the trip to
Kenilworth Road.
'I found him very focused in training. Relaxed in a way, because of course
he had a huge disappointment, and he was disappointed about the outcome.
But I found him after a day off relaxed and very well prepared in
training.'
Our German head coach was also asked about Romelu Lukaku, who again
started on the bench in the Carabao Cup final due to the form of Kai
Havertz in the striker position.
'The players never like it, and the big players they absolutely hate it,
if sometimes they are out and sometimes the coach takes the decision to
rest them, but look how sharp Jorgi looked. It was only 15 minutes but he
looked super sharp. Romelu looked good, Timo looks better,' Tuchel said.
https://i.imgur.com/D38mW79.jpg
Romelu in training yesterday
'It is sometimes like this from experience that you need a breather if you
work so heavily and you are like a bit stuck and everything feels a bit
tight and hard for you. Sometimes it helps to take a step back, let the
others do the hard work who feel a bit more comfortable and come from the
bench and take a breath.
'It was a very good performance from Rom and from Jorgi as well, like I
said.'