‘We’re in a hole’ – Chelsea tipped for pivotal few days in transfer market as Thomas Tuchel makes demands with defeat at Southampton labelled ‘a cause for concern’

Chelsea have been tipped for a make-or-break few days within the switch market following a disappointing night at St Mary’s Stadium.

The Blues fell to a 2-1 defeat against Southampton on Tuesday night time, a outcome which has seen them lose their second match in 5 Premier League fixtures, conceding eight targets within the course of.

Raheem Sterling’s opener halfway by means of the primary half appeared to place Chelsea in management, nonetheless, Romeo Lavia’s stunner and Adam Armstrong’s strike earlier than half-time left Thomas Tuchel’s facet utterly misplaced, one thing that he struggled to grasp after the match.

Requested what occurred by talkSPORT, Tuchel stated: “I don’t know, I truly don’t know.

“At this time there was not sufficient high quality. It has to come back. It should assist when the switch window closes as a result of the noise will go down and we’ll push this group, after all, however we have to toughen up as a result of we’re not powerful sufficient in the intervening time to play these matches in opposition to Leeds and Southampton.”

Requested if they should signal a No.9, Tuchel stated: “We’ve been speaking about this since I’ve been right here, it’s not an issue.

“It’s not about bringing within the subsequent one and the following one, what’s regarding is the numbers and depth within the squad once you have a look at the gamers on the bench immediately and may they play for Chelsea with the calls for of Chelsea.

“Yesterday we had 16 gamers in coaching. The standard will come again, the mentality will come again and we’d like an enormous squad to push all people to the restrict as a result of that is what massive squads do.

“When we have now 16 guys in coaching it’s not the identical scenario.”

Reacting to Chelsea’s defeat on the south coast and their poor begin to the season, Scott Minto believes that the membership can be trying to make important modifications within the ultimate days of the switch window.

Talking to Adrian Durham on Kick Off, Minto stated: “The objective that made it 2-1 gave Southampton an enormous cheer and an enormous pat on the again. Coming off at half-time everybody within the stadium was up for it.

“Okay, it’s half-time. How are Chelsea going to react? They didn’t react in any respect within the second half.

“I believe that Thomas Tuchel did all that he can with what he had on the bench. He went from a 3, to a 4, to a 3 once more and bringing on all his attacking gamers that he thought he might when it comes to senior professionals, however they simply weren’t ok.

“For me, Hakim Ziyech, it wouldn’t trouble me if he didn’t play for Chelsea once more. It was troublesome for Christian Pulisic approaching however once more, he’s one other participant who has flattered to deceive during the last 18 months or so.

“Chelsea want one other central defender and so they want an out-and-out striker and listening to you guys speak about Anthony Gordon, possibly they want him enjoying with ardour in addition to ability and method as nicely.

“For the time being they’ve loads of ‘aptitude gamers’, however they’re not getting on the ball and within the second half it was Southampton who stepped it up and absolutely deserved the three factors ultimately.

“It was disappointing for Chelsea and it’s going to be an attention-grabbing final couple of days earlier than the switch window finishes.”

Chelsea are expecting to complete a deal to sign Wesley Fofana this week, whereas the likes of Anthony Gordon and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are additionally being closely linked as choices to bulk up Tuchel’s squad, one thing that Jason Cundy believes might see them come good within the coming weeks.

Cundy stated on The Sports activities Bar: “Proper now the switch window remains to be open and there’s loads of knee-jerk response about who’s going to do what this season and proper now, I really feel a bit beat.

“When the window shuts and we’re ten video games in and the European competitions begin, it’ll begin to degree out.

“Proper now, we’re not ok. There’s no getting away from it however you have a look at among the gamers who began tonight.

“If everyone seems to be match and everyone seems to be enjoying then among the gamers who began tonight could be beginning.

“We’re in a gap and I have a look at the efficiency and see that there’s trigger for concern.”