Thomas Tuchel will not have been impressed by his Chelsea players against Barnsley.
That’s the verdict of former Tottenham Hotspur and England winger Chris Waddle, who has described the Blues’ performance as “well below par,” despite the 1-0 victory at Oakwell to progress to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Tammy Abraham netted the only goal of the game against the Championship side, who fought well and limited Chelsea to just six shots at goal in the game, while having 14 attempts themselves.
Four of those were on target, but Chelsea stood firm and Kepa Arrizabalaga kept a clean sheet on his return to the side, with Abraham popping up with the winner on 64 minutes to send Tuchel’s side through to the last eight of the competition, where they will face Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge next month.
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However, Waddle believes that the players who came in to play for a much-changed Chelsea side will have done little to stake their claims for a regular spot under the new manager.
“I think Barnsley can get a lot of plaudits and a pat on the back, they have played ever so well and asked a lot of questions of this Chelsea team,” he said, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I know he [Tuchel] made a lot of changes, but he still had a team of internationals and quality Chelsea players and I’ve got to say I was disappointed with them.
“They will turn away and say they played bad and got a result, but I don’t think the manager will be pleased, I am sure he will have words and some of those players will not be playing in the next game for Chelsea after what happened, I am sure of that.
“They have got through, but overall you have got to say Chelsea played well below par.
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“They will be delighted getting back on that coach, to say they are in the next round and they have got a great opportunity with Sheffield United at home in the next round.
“But for the manager, he will be looking at it and saying ‘don’t come knocking on my door at the weekend asking why you’re not playing, because you have not shown me anything tonight where you are definitely pencilled in on my team sheet this weekend.’
“They really should have dictated this game, but Barnsley had the energy and were looking for that result. Whereas you looked at Chelsea and a lot of the players left a lot in the tank there, for me.”
