Thomas Tuchel is expecting a top performance from Charlotte FC when they face his Chelsea side in pre-season in North Carolina.
Chelsea head to the Bank of America Stadium on Thursday morning (UK) for their second game of pre-season, their penultimate fixture of their tour of the United States.
The head coach used 22 of his players against Club America during their 2-1 win at the weekend, a side also already underway in their season, with Charlotte FC already well into their MLS campaign.
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Tuchel isn’t too familiar with their upcoming opponents, knowing it’s hard to predict what the American outfit will bring, but is focused on his own side.
“Given the fact it's maybe not so often they play against big European teams, I think the players, team and coach will show their best face, mentality and performance,” said Tuchel on what he is expecting from Charlotte FC.
“I am sure they will prepare in a very serious way and will not see it as a friendly match. That is how I would handle it.
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"In pre-season, it's difficult to predict.
"Maybe Charlotte gives players a chance that are maybe in the shade or guys who want to make an impression in their league campaign. I simply don't know it.
“In the end, pre-season is 99 per cent about your own team, own development, finding your own form. That is where the focus will be."
Christian Pulisic will play in front of his crowd for the second time, but his inclusion and role hasn’t been decided yet by Tuchel, who was waiting for the final training session before deciding on his lineup.
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Tuchel added on the decision over whether Pulisic starts or not: "No, it's not decided yet. We have one more training session.
“We had two intense training sessions yesterday and decided to do one more today before we travel to Charlotte, and then it's all about the next and the next step and the next step in pre-season. It's always like this.
"The focus is on our team. We had an intense match against Club America and now and now we will focus on that match to improve when we are playing against Charlotte.
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“The meeting will be tomorrow – analysing with the team will be tomorrow – and then we will focus a bit more on tactical issues because all the focus was on the physical versus Club America."
But Raheem Sterling will definitely play for the Blues against Charlotte FC after he missed the Club America match.
Tuchel added: "Raheem is absolutely ready to go tomorrow.
"He will be on the pitch tomorrow and I am happy about that and he is excited to play his first match."
Topics: Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea
Matthew Debono