Champions League Qualification More Important Than FA Cup, Says Tuchel

Just three days after losing the FA Cup final to Leicester City at Wembley, the two sides meet once again in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge with a place in next season’s premier club competition in Europe up for grabs.

Chelsea are two points behind the Foxes and can move into third place with victory over Brendan Rodgers’ men.

While Tuchel admits losing the FA Cup hurts, the priority has always been to secure a place among Europe’s elite for next season.

"I am not a good loser but I want to be a respectful loser and I am not here to play the match [the FA Cup final] down because of financial reasons," he said.

"We lost a big match, it was a huge match for us, we put out the best team possible, we did not rest anybody because we had the feeling that this game tomorrow is more important.

"But there is a but. Do we want to play Champions League next season? Yes, this is the target when I stepped into this club. I want to be very clear, the task was, 'let's try everything to be in the top four'.

"The task was not, 'let's try everything to win the FA Cup' because the FA Cup, as big as it is, does not bring you to Champions League football next season. It's the top four that brings us that.

"So, yes, tomorrow is another huge game. But like I said, the FA Cup final was big for us. Once you can collect silverware you try everything simply out of respect.

"And me and the players – be very sure about this – we think zero about how much money we earn [by qualifying for the Champions League]. This is not in our heads."