Tuchel criticized for remarkable change: ‘A nonsensical idea’


Monday, February 28, 2022 at 11:18• Jordi Tomasowa

In England, after the final of the EFL Cup, surprise has arisen about the substitution of star Édouard Mendy. The Chelsea goalkeeper was taken off by Thomas Tuchel in the final minute of extra time, to enter the penalty series with Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spanish goalie had to kick himself at an 11-10 score (no one missed) and shot hopelessly over, so that Liverpool grabbed the EFL Cup after a blistering final.

In ‘s studio Sky Sports Gary Neville could hardly understand Tuchel’s choice to replace Mendy for Kepa just before the penalty shootout. “I don’t like to bring in a goalkeeper just for a penalty shootout,” said the analyst. “Of course they know that Kepa has excellent stats when it comes to stopping penalty kicks, but I still don’t understand. Mendy played great and made saves the whole game, he’s in the game, he has the good feeling and he’s warmed up.”

Jamie Redknapp could only echo the words of his fellow analyst. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, it’s a nonsensical idea,” said the former Liverpool midfielder. “It’s bullshit, he didn’t even come close to stopping a penalty.” According to Jamie Carragher, Tuchel’s choice to bring in Kepa in the final minute of extra time was justifiable. “We must not forget that this was the same decision Thomas Tuchel made during the European Super Cup and then Chelsea won the penalty shootout with Kepa on target,” Carragher refers to the won game against Villarreal.

Virgil van Dijk was one of the star performers on the Liverpool side. The defender has been widely acclaimed in English media for his performance in the EFL Cup final. The Express rewarded his playing with a 9. “An effortless and impressive performance. Everything you expect from the ruling Dutchman. An extraordinary achievement.” Of the Daily Mail the defender gets an 8. “Just like Thiago Silva on the other side, he radiated class”, writes the newspaper, which hands out an 8. “Liverpool were quite lucky, but the Dutchman did nothing wrong.”