Tuchel: We need to rest for a few days, that's how I feel about the team

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel insisted his side "need a few days off" after Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Brighton.

The German has previously expressed his concern about the midweek match, saying he could not understand the date of the match.

He said on Monday: "It's hard to understand; it's nothing to do with Manchester City, but three consecutive away games. Brighton and our next game are played on Sunday, so there is no need to play on Tuesday.

"Actually, Brighton played on Friday, so it's also very different (in their favour). We have our schedule.

'We can play on Saturday and Tuesday and we've done that before, but if you expand your focus then we're definitely going to do better.'

After a 1-1 draw at American Express Stadium, Tuchel explained that his team was "physically and mentally exhausted".

"We look tired, we're really tired," the Chelsea boss told BT Sport. "It's like this.

"We know they're well prepared, have more time to prepare and at the end you see the stadium celebrating the victory like a victory. That's what you're facing. We tried everything, but you can see that we are physically and mentally exhausted.

"We needed a few days of rest. The boys needed a few days off and there was no other solution.

"I don't see a lot of teams controlling Brighton for more than 90 minutes. They are brave and will bring people into your box to create opportunities. Of course, if you can fight for half the chance for the second goal, you can go out and win, and that's what we usually do. It's hard to be too harsh on our players at the moment because I know what's going on.

"I'm happy. He could score another 20 points without celebrating me without a problem. If we say we want more from them, it's normal for them to talk, be unhappy and dislike them. Even in the reaction to the target, you can see that they are tired. This is relief. That's how I just felt about the team. ”