Chelsea

Chelsea looked poor across the board in a loss to Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb, and their start to the Champions League offered few positives.

[Marc Cucurella](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/259910/Marc-Cucurella), N/R -- Replaced Chilwell in the 71st minute and was unable to make many notable attacking moves, while he was beaten to the ball a few times while trying to defend. [Jorginho](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/165778/jorginho), 5 -- Replaced Kovacic in the 59th minute and tried to move the ball and make things happen, but couldn't manage to find a way through the Dinamo defence. [Christian Pulisic](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/225607/christian-pulisic), N/R -- Replaced Sterling in the 75th minute and tried to get into dangerous areas but couldn't quite make them count. Almost found [Armando Broja](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/291535/Armando-Broja) at the back post after doing well to reach [Jorginho](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/233721/Jorginho)'s pass. [Armando Broja](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/291535/armando-broja), 5 -- Replaced Aubameyang in the 59th minute and flashed a ball towards the front post moments after coming on as he tried to inject some extra energy into their play. [Kai Havertz](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/231182/Kai-Havertz), 5 -- Had encouraging flashes with some good runs and crosses that came close to finding Aubameyang, although a poor touch let him down when there was a chance to break through later in the half. [Ben Chilwell](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/225426/ben-chilwell), 5 -- Headed away Orsic's shot well. [Reece James](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/189007/Reece-James), 5 -- Got into good positions but his passing was poor at times, as was his crossing in the first half with too many of his attempts tamely hitting [Robert Ljubicic](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/273480/Robert-Ljubicic). Got forward a lot of the time but found himself being well-marshalled by [Sadegh Moharrami](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/194870/Sadegh-Moharrami) and Stefan Ristovski. [Hakim Ziyech](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/176733/Hakim-Ziyech), 3 -- Replaced Azpilicueta at halftime and showed early intent with a shot from range, even if it didn't trouble Livakovic. His late chest to [Christian Pulisic](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/225607/Christian-Pulisic) could have ended up being an assist. Completely wasted the opportunity to counter by making a poor pass following a Dinamo mistake and didn't do much in the second period.

The Blues started their Champions League campaign with a trip to Croatia, and they fell behind in the 13th minute when Mislav Orsic raced clear before ...

However, Tuchel refused to single out Aubameyang for criticism. Chelsea have left themselves plenty of work to do to qualify from their group, and they have also made an unimpressive start to their domestic campaign, losing to Leeds and Southampton in the opening weeks of the season. The Gabon striker made his debut for the side in Zagreb, but failed to have the desired impact before he was substituted in the second half.

LIVERPOOL and Manchester City have been told to take advantage of Chelsea's transfer business in the future.

Billy did not want to go on loan, it was a no-go for him so in the end we agreed to a sale." However, Nevin has argued that Chelsea may now miss out on the player long-term, believing he is good enough to go to play for the likes of City and Liverpool. He struggled last season while he was sent out on loan to a poor Norwich team, hence leaving him further outside the first team picture at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won't regret selling him because that's not the way they think as a club - but they may want to buy him back again. The Scottish international was allowed to join Brighton on deadline day in a £9million transfer after falling out of favour with Blues boss [Thomas Tuchel](/latest/thomas-tuchel). However, he started to fall out of first-team favour when the Englishman was replaced by Tuchel, despite continuing to perform for his national side.

You look very frustrated and seem quite angry, could you give a summation of the match? Of course, I'm angry at myself, I'm angry about our performance, ...

I think that I use the word we a lot and this word includes me, so I don’t see a point where I lose the team and I answer your questions. We expected what we got and I think we got what we got. If we did then we have a huge problem. A lack of determination, a lack of hunger and a lack of intensity to actually do the things that we need at the highest level. honestly, then we have a huge problem if we did. It is what it is. You ask me a question and I give you an answer. I don’t think you lose a player. It’s a bit of a game you play when you say I was so super critical. Because I didn’t see it coming. Of course, I'm angry at myself, I'm angry about our performance, this is a huge underpeformance from all of us. Not a lot at the moment.

Thomas Tuchel said he 'was in the wrong movie' after Chelsea slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb.

A lack of determination, a lack of hunger and a lack of intensity to actually do the things that we need at the highest level. It was the story of the last few games: we start OK for 15-20 minutes but then lacked determination, precision and maybe even lacked the smell of blood.” “I’m angry with myself and I’m angry with our performance,” the German said.

Chelsea spent about £272 million in the summer transfer market, including a reported fee of £75 million for centre-back Wesley Fofana.

Part of that is down to the players, of course, who weren't sharp or decisive enough. Returning to a five-at-the-back system, Chelsea looked frail defensively and clueless in the attack against a Dinamo team they should have steamrolled. That, most likely, is a result of playing alongside a new team-mate, with the two certainly needing time to adjust to each other's tendencies.

Chelsea began their Champions League group stage campaign in disappointing fashion as they were beaten 1-0 by Dinamo Zagreb in Stadion Maksimir.

"It was the moment to give him a break instead of putting him on the bench and having the travel issues. Chelsea also missed Silva's composure in possession and willingness to pass forward in the second period as they searched for an equaliser. "We decided with Thiago that he will have a break from the travelling and the stress after playing every minute so far in very intense matches," Tuchel said ahead of the game on Croatia. The lack of invention, of repeatable attacking patterns that result in chances, was evident once more and something Tuchel has to change. A lack of determination, a lack of hunger and a lack of intensity to actually do the things that we need at the highest level. We had a number of deliveries and a number of spaces, and a number of ball wins that should be by far enough to have far more attempts. And the other was defensive master Would the Brazilian have been caught out positionally – as Wesley Fofana was – in the build-up to Orsic's opener? For instance, in the opening seven matches this term, Chelsea have already been beaten by Leeds United, Southampton and Dinamo. Tuchel transformed a side bereft of confidence under Frank Lampard and turned it into a well-drilled machine. Even more so when considered after Mislav Orsic scampered clear of the Chelsea defence and finished beyond [Chelsea](https://www.football.london/all-about/chelsea) actually started well in Zagreb last night.

Chelsea have now lost three of their last five matches in all competitions.

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All your latest Chelsea news and transfer updates throughout Tuesday as we provide build-up to the Champions league opener.

Gvardiol followed in the footsteps of Kovacic in coming through the youth ranks at Dinamo Zagreb, who Chelsea face in their Champions League group stage opener tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. In an interview with [The Argus](https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/20899517.on-loan-chelsea-teen-levi-colwill-enjoys-life-brighton/), the 19-year-old has reflected upon his maiden months on the south coast as he seeks first-team opportunities. And a late attempt to secure a deal that would have seen Gvardiol arrive at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2023/24 campaign also proved unsuccessful. [Marca](https://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona/2022/09/06/6316df40ca47415b0b8b456c.html), the winger said: "My relationship with Xavi is special, I want to stay by his side for a long time. [west Londoners are currently 1-0 down at the time of writing, ](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/news/dinamo-zagreb-chelsea-live-aubameyang-24940590)with Zagreb star Mislav Orsic opening the scoring for the hosts. It was the moment to give him a break instead of putting him on the bench and having travel issues. The 30-year-old has been central to much of [Chelsea](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/) themselves were involved in one such incident in their 2-1 win over West Ham, and whilst the new Champions League VAR won't be able to change more subjective decisions like [Jared Bowen's alleged foul on Edouard Mendy](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/fixtures-results/rice-chelsea-controversial-var-decision-24924246), it will be able to quickly decipher offside calls that have previously taken time away from matches and stunted the atmosphere for celebrating fans. He grew into the game as it wore on and combined well with Thomas in the second half. The first choice keeper was also caught out with a failed punch attempt in the lead up to Michail Antonio's goal in the Blues' 2-1 victory. Tuchel's side laboured in attack once more and despite a lively start, once Mislav Orsic opened the scoring, Aubameyang's impact became less and less noticeable. It's game day and the Blues are in Champions League action as they take on Mateo Kovacic's boyhood club Dinamo Zagreb in the Group E opener.

All the latest Chelsea headlines on Wednesday, including updates on Levi Colwill, Edouard Mendy and Ousmane Dembele.

[Read the full story here](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/news/dembele-transfer-message-arsenal-chelsea-24940406). [Read the full story here](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/transfer-news/edouard-mendy-contract-stance-clear-24941206). Despite Thomas Tuchel known to be a big admirer of [Dembele](https://www.football.london/all-about/ousmane-dembele), with the pair having worked together at Borussia Dortmund, [Chelsea's](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/) efforts proved unsuccessful. [Marca](https://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona/2022/09/06/6316df40ca47415b0b8b456c.html), the winger said: "My relationship with Xavi is special, I want to stay by his side for a long time. [Evening Standard](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-fc-mount-new-contract-mendy-reject-b1023388.html) state that the Senegal international has already turned down an initial offer from Chelsea. In an interview with [The Argus](https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/20899517.on-loan-chelsea-teen-levi-colwill-enjoys-life-brighton/), the 19-year-old has reflected upon his maiden months on the south coast as he seeks first-team opportunities. While talks to retain the midfielder look promising, the same can not be said about Mendy's future. It's said that preliminary discussions have taken place between the club and the former, who has two years remaining on his current deal in west London. And, in the process of detailing his first weeks at Brighton, "There are better players around," the defender said. The standards are higher, you can’t let them drop." [Read the full story, here.](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/transfer-news/chelsea-fans-aubameyang-transfer-zagreb-24948370)

Thomas Tuchel admitted he was “angry” and “surprised” Chelsea suffered a shock 1-0 defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb in their opening Champions League group ...

“We are not happy with our results, we are not happy with the way we are playing in general. “I’m angry with myself and I’m angry with our performance. “It’s a lack of determination, lack of hunger, a lack of intensity.

Chelsea began their Champions League group stage campaign in disappointing fashion as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

We are not finished, we are not happy with our results, and we are not happy with the way we play in general. "There is no day off," Tuchel said. A lack of determination, a lack of hunger, and a lack of intensity to actually do the things that we need at the highest level. There is no respite for Tuchel and his players. "Obviously, I was in the wrong movie as I did not see that coming. Yet the nature of Chelsea's performance in Zagreb resulted in Tuchel cutting a frustrated and irritated figure on the touchline and in his post-match press conference.