The World Cup international break affected their performance, according to Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly, and they will need to improve if they want to contend for the championship this year.
The 1-0 loss to Newcastle, which leaves Chelsea with four losses overall, included the former Napoli defender. Despite having a mini-preseason with half the team that isn't going to the World Cup, new manager Graham Potter is fighting against the clock to turn things around.
Koulibaly, who has now joined the Senegal team, acknowledges that the absence of key players contributed to the difficulty of the past few days.
He stated on the club's official website that “We have to be sad after losing in Newcastle. We wanted to get the three points but it was a tough game.
“Newcastle played well, they played with a lot of intensity and it was difficult for us with all the injuries we have and all the pressure they put on us.
“It was a bit tough and we are sad that we lost this game because we wanted more and we didn’t get it. We have to work hard because we are far from first place in the Premier League.
“We need to know that we are not in a good place. We need to keep on working, keep on believing. For the supporters it is hard to lose again because it is three games in a row that we lose and it is difficult for us and it is difficult for them.
“So we have to get back after the World Cup with another mentality, and a mentality to win the games and to get points.”
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