ANTONIO RUDIGER reckons a top-four place is in Chelsea’s hands — if they keep listening to “details” man Thomas Tuchel.
The Blues are becoming a slick, mean-machine under Tuchel and moved into a Champions League qualification place with Thursday’s win at Liverpool.
Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger hails boss Thomas Tuchel for his ‘calm’ managementCredit: PA:Press Association
Everton defender Ben Godfrey is eyeing an England call-up as he prepares to face Chelsea on Monday at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Rudiger, back in favour and on form since his fellow German’s arrival, said: “It’s all details, details.
“If you don’t do what he tells you, you will find yourself on the outside. His message is just always to play our football. Like we are, to press high.
“He is making us feel that we should always stay calm, never worry, and he advises us exactly what to do. And this is what we are doing.
“It’s game by game. But it is all in our hands.
“Top four can happen but it depends all on us.”
Chelsea restricted Liverpool to just one shot on target on Thursday.
Their resurgence under Tuchel is based on a solid defence.
Chelsea have conceded just two goals — one a Rudiger OG — in Tuchel’s ten games in charge.
Former Blues defender Ashley Cole described the 1-0 Anfield win as a “perfect performance”.
Rudiger, 28, said: “It felt like this. Everyone worked off the ball and if we were more clinical we could have done much better.
“But the defensive display from everyone was spot on. We always said the defensive work starts from the front and that’s why we all did well.”
Meanwhile, Everton’s Ben Godfrey, is chasing a double target of a Champions League spot and England call-up.
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A lot of people have mentioned playing for England to me. It would be strange for me to say I’m not aiming for that. Any English player wants that accolade.
Everton defender Ben Godfrey
The defender, 23 has established himself in the back four following his £25million switch from Norwich in October.
And Godfrey is sure both goals can be achieved with Everton.
He said: “The character we have is unbelievable — it’s a great dressing room.
“Long may that continue, especially in these final stages of the season.
“We’re going to go to some tough places — and that character and bond we’ve got has to be there.”
He added: “A lot of people have mentioned playing for England to me. It would be strange for me to say I’m not aiming for that.
“Any English player wants that accolade.”
CHELSEA (likely): Mendy, Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount, Havertz, Werner.
EVERTON (likely): Pickford, Holgate, Keane, Godfrey, Digne, Doucoure, Gomes, Allan, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.
Tuchel says he is very very happy after Chelsea’s defeat of Liverpool as he knows what it takes
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
