This archive report was first published on 30 December 2021.
Chelsea's hopes of winning the Premier League title have taken a hit, with manager Thomas Tuchel describing talk of competing for the title as 'stupid' due to the team's struggles with Covid-19 and injuries.
Chelsea were left eight points behind leaders Manchester City after a 1-1 draw against Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, with Romelu Lukaku scoring for the Blues before Danny Welbeck equalized in injury time.
The result left Chelsea second in the table, a point ahead of Liverpool, although the Merseysiders have a game in hand.
Chelsea's disappointment was compounded by injuries to Reece James (hamstring) and Andreas Christensen (back), who join a list of seven players out due to Covid-19 isolation protocols.
Tuchel was blunt when asked if Chelsea could still challenge for the title, saying, 'How should we be in it? We have seven Covid cases. We have five or six players out for six or more weeks. How should we compete in a title race?'
He added, 'We would be stupid to think we can do it out of Covid and injuries and just play, and everybody would be stupid to do it without 23 fit players.'
Tuchel also acknowledged that Covid-19 is now a fact of life in the Premier League, saying, 'This is the reality, this is where we are and we have to adapt to the demands of the situation which you are in.'
