How to Stop Chelsea's 16-Goal Attack? Hull City Boss Jokes: 'Kick Them'

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic joked that the most effective way to stop Chelsea's fluid attack would be to "kick them."

Since returning to the Premier League, Hull City have not conceded a goal, beating Manchester United and Coventry before drawing with Aston Villa last week.

At Stamford Bridge on Saturday, their defense will face its toughest test so far, with opponents Chelsea boasting a strong attacking line featuring Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers.

Xabi Alonso's team have been in excellent form this season, scoring 16 goals in five league and cup matches.

Asked how Hull City could limit them, Jakirovic joked: "Kick them? No, if you are playing man-to-man there, you have no chance."

"So, it is very, very simple, because they have the ability to get past one, two, three players. The key is to stay together — a compact shape, team effort, defending as a team, and then we will see what happens."

"But they are very, very strong, and this will be very, very difficult for us. It is hard, but we will see. Like I said, this is a huge challenge in front of us, and we will try to play."

Hull City have taken seven points from three matches, a start that may have raised expectations around the team after their return to the Premier League, but Jakirovic insists there is still room for improvement.

He said: "Every match is a new challenge. Like I said, we will try to play better than in the first three rounds."

"I expect us to grow in every match, and this is a great experience for us. Now we have played three games, and we can still play better."

"We can improve in many areas, like I said, in all moments of the game, we will see. We have seven points, and that is good. We have not conceded, and that is excellent."

"But I also know many teams will be very motivated to break through our goal, and that is normal. The key is tactical discipline. No matter what happens on the pitch, we must stay focused, stick to our tactical plan, and try to show it on the field."

Before traveling to the capital, Hull City had no new injury concerns. Brooke Norton-Cuffy, John Egan and Paddy McNair have all been cleared to play, while Hidemasa Morita and Charlie Hughes remain unavailable.

Asked about the players who could miss the match, Jakirovic confirmed: "It is still Morita and Charlie Hughes, but I think that is all. Cuffy's scan was fine, and Paddy McNair is also fine. There were some issues after Tuesday's match against Sunderland, but nothing special, and they can play."

He specifically explained Norton-Cuffy's situation: "Norton-Cuffy felt some discomfort in his calf after the match against Aston Villa. The next day we sent him for a scan, and the scan showed there was no problem. He felt something while he was off the ball, his calf did not feel good, and we took precautionary measures."