As the European sport media drowns in transfer news on Friday, Bild have a football article about something entirely different.
Christian Falk, writing for the German newspaper, states the English media is ‘playing dirty games’ against Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.
Going over several points, Falk starts with claims Chelsea players aren’t satisfied: ‘According to a report by The Athletic, some pros are upset. In addition to Christian Pulisic (23), Callum Hudson-Odoi (21) and Hakim Ziyech (28), the German internationals Timo Werner (25) and Kai Havertz (22) are named.’
The report then presents what ‘Bild knows’, and that is that Werner and Havertz are being eased back in after Covid-19 infections. Tuchel has held one-to-one talks with the pair, explaining what he wants to do, and it’s stated they were ‘understanding’ of their manager’s viewpoint.
On the issue of the Belgian striker, Bild say: ‘Lukaku was thrown out of the squad for a game, primarily at the request of the team.’
Next up, Falk addresses claims, which certainly haven’t been widespread in the English media, that Chelsea are looking for a successor.
It’s stated the Daily Express reported something along these lines, and then that’s dismissed, with it being insisted Tuchel retains the full support of Marina Granovskaia.
The report ends by saying: ‘The fuss about Tuchel near Chelsea – it seems to be nothing more than a lousy media game…’
Perhaps this is all a little overreaction from Germany.
