Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has provided fitness updates on Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling and Marc Cucurella after their victory against Everton.
The Blues kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win away at the Toffees, with Jorginho’s goal being enough to take the three points back to London.
Ben Chilwell was fouled in the area by Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Chelsea’s Italian midfielder soon stepped up and slotted away the spot-kick.
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Tuchel opted for a strong starting lineup for the match, with Koulibaly and Sterling making their competitive debuts from the get-go.
Cucurella came on as a substitute in the second half, just a day after his move from Brighton was announced.
All three have arrived at the club at different stages this summer and after the win against Everton, Tuchel was able to provide updates on their fitness.
He said: "Koulibaly came late and struggled. Raheem struggled physically at the end.
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“Cucurella was very strong for 20 minutes. Koulibaly came off with just cramp."
Sterling played the full 90 minutes whereas Koulibaly was replaced by Cucurella with around 15 minutes remaining.
The match was by no means easy for Chelsea, who had to cope with pressure from the Toffees on numerous occasions throughout the match.
Doucoure’s foul on Chilwell came deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half and the goal was scored on the stroke of the break, with the Blues then able to withstand further Everton attacks in the second half.
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The three points were soon sealed on the road at Goodison Park, something that the World Champions had been unable to do since 2017.
During his post-match press conference, Tuchel shared his overall thoughts on the game, with Chelsea sitting sixth in the table after just one match.
“It was maybe not the most exciting Premier League game.
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“Seven minutes of extra time in the first half, ten minutes in the second half tells the story. Lots of interruptions and no team could find the rhythm.
"We struggled with the moments, to feel the moments, for the change of speed and switch of play. We didn't maybe want to take the risk in the final 25 metres.
“We didn't have enough movement on the ball in the second half and that didn't create enough ball losses. The ball was stuck between the halves.”
London rivals Tottenham Hotspur will be the next to face the Blues, with Chelsea set to play at Stamford Bridge for the first time since the final day of the season in May.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Thomas Tuchel, Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella, Chelsea