Tuchel: De Bruyne Needed To Leave Chelsea But Werner And Havertz Don’t
The Blues duo have had a turbulent season but are starting to show signs that they will enter an honest period of form
Thomas Tuchel has spoken about the circumstances that saw Kevin De Bruyne leave Chelsea in 2014 but insists that Kai Havertz or Timo Werner won’t need similar departures.
To some, the circumstances around De Bruyne’s exit remain a source of regret after he left in an £18 million ($25m) deal before going onto become one among the Premier League’s best players at Manchester City.
Now, vice-captain at City, De Bruyne could lift the Premier League title for the third time if his side beat Chelsea on Saturday, with a Champions League final to return between the 2 teams later within the month. Tuchel is glad that De Bruyne reached his potential after a move but doesn’t want history to repeat itself with Werner or Havertz.
I don’t know; I wasn’t there. I can just say that you simply can get trapped within the thoughts that it had been an enormous mistake to let him go, but you never know. you do not know what would have happened if he wouldn’t have changed the club back to Germany from Chelsea then back to England then ,” Tuchel told reporters.
“Maybe he needed it at the time. a special league, a special challenge to be at his best level that he has maybe ever reached to be so influential at City and even be the captain for a tremendous and such a successful team.
“You don’t know; maybe it had been for the simplest for him. Maybe he would have done an equivalent route had he stayed and made his way in here. it’s hard to inform , hard to inform but what I can tell you is that this league here, because you draw a comparison to Timo and Kai’s situation, the league here causes you to either roll in the hay or don’t roll in the hay .
“This league is that the best here to challenge every player and coach at the very best level in football. you’ve got two possibilities, you intensify otherwise you don’t. If you do not , you do not make it during this league and that is why i’m very happy that Timo and Kai both stepped out of their temperature and took this adventure, this huge challenge, come to England, go abroad within the hardest league and attend a club with a true winning mentality.
“A tough club that’s not about second or third place; this is often about winning. this is often bravery and it’s the proper step for them to bring out their absolute best . this is often excellent because it’s the league and challenge that demands it and sharpens their character.
“It’s their mentality and this is often what we will see. they’re still on their way, we’ll boost them and this is often always a process. For some, it’s faster and for others, it’s slower, but as long as they’re all Chelsea’s players, they get our full support.”
Chelsea are in need of the points on Saturday in their efforts to qualify for the Champions League through a top-four finish. They even have an FA final to return against Leicester City next week.
They have only Mateo Kovacic out injured before the trip to Man City. Pep Guardiola’s side have only John Stones out through suspension.
