• Hakim Ziyech at Chelsea Training Ground. Getty
    Hakim Ziyech at Chelsea Training Ground. Getty
  • Callum Hudson-Odoi and N'Golo Kante of Chelsea during the training session. Getty
    Callum Hudson-Odoi and N'Golo Kante of Chelsea during the training session. Getty
  • Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell tune up for Fulham. Getty
    Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell tune up for Fulham. Getty
  • Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz in action. Getty
    Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz in action. Getty
  • Jorginho of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground in Cobham, England. Getty Images
    Jorginho of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground in Cobham, England. Getty Images
  • Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground in Cobham, England. Getty Images
    Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground in Cobham, England. Getty Images
  • Billy Gilmour of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground in Cobham, England. Getty Images
    Billy Gilmour of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground in Cobham, England. Getty Images
  • Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel oversees training ahead of the busy end of season. Getty
    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel oversees training ahead of the busy end of season. Getty

Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Chelsea stars prepare for 'brutal' end of season - in pictures


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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said he is relishing the challenge of competing in three different competitions with games coming thick and fast.

With Chelsea still involved in the FA Cup and the Champions League, the London club played eight games in April after last month's international break, taking part in a midweek match every week.

After overseeing Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and the other Chelsea stars in training, Tuchel, the former manager of Paris Saint Germain, said: "It's brutal. We played in France the same amount of games ... but, of course, the challenge and intensity of this league is different.

"It is another level, quite relentless. But it keeps you on your front foot and getting out of bed early. There is simply no time to breathe, to sit back and get too relaxed or comfortable. This is a good thing."

Chelsea, who are fourth in the Premier League, play a London derby against Fulham on Saturday with one eye on their Champions League semi-final, second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday. They drew the first leg 1-1 in Madrid.

"Fulham is a good chance to keep our advantage in the league, nothing else," Tuchel said, with West Ham United three points behind.

"I know very well it is a match between two semi-finals, it is not a usual week but I'm happy. It is the moment to prove to ourselves that we can focus our energy into tomorrow's game."