Chelsea have a new gaffer in the town and things have definitely taken up a U-turn. Thomas Tuchel has helped Chelsea regain momentum in between the season. He has been at Chelsea for a very short period of time but has helped turn results in their favor. He has been very different in ideas than Frank Lampard but has been very effective considering he has been given very little time to adapt.
5 games unbeaten in his first 5 games in-charge with 4 clean sheets that too in half a month of appointment shows how well the team is performing.
Here we highlight 5 Key Points we learned from Tuchel’s initial days at Chelsea.
Tuchel is a Real Deal
Chelsea were dropped in mid-table under Frank Lampard and tried every option available to turn the tables but failed. This led to a sudden change in Chelsea plans and Thomas Tuchel was put on work just a day before the Wolves game.
This was very quick for the team as the new gaffer was given just one just an hour session before the big game. He did change the formation in the very first game and since then it has not gone wrong at Chelsea. He has been bold enough to make decisions and has not been afraid to put in bold ideas. A 3 at the back with so many attacking players in the team looked a bad idea but Tuchel has proved everyone wrong. Moving Callum Hudson-Odoi as a right wing-back and going with a pivot of two with two 10s has been very bold but decisive in the results. He has been rotating the squad well and everyone in the club has been given the chance to prove their worth. Top 4 now looks very much possible with the same intent and it all just shows that Tuchel is a real deal.
Odoi adding a New Dimension
Callum Hudson-Odoi, one of the hottest prospects in the game of football, did lose his touch in past months and thus could not earn a starting place in Frank’s side. He made the decision to stay back at Chelsea rejecting a move to Bayern Munich, a move which could have been one of the biggest ever. But staying loyal to the club he decided to fight for his place and he might have finally made his cut.
Tuchel just helped Odoi add another dimension to his game as he was deployed as a right wing-back, a position where wingers often do not succeed well. Tuchel did the same considering the fact that Odoi’s agility could help the team defend while adding an extra attacker on the field. Callum thus could play wide touching the sideline along with another attacker upfront to link. He even gave back-to-back MOTM performances for Chelsea and Tuchel also is full of appraisals for him. He could be one of the most important players for Thomas Tuchel if he continues to play with a similar strategy.
Mason isn’t just Lampard’s son
With the sacking of Frank Lampard, many saw this as the end of an era for Mount as he was considered the ‘favoured one’. His being dropped in the first game raised many eyebrows as well. But the Englishman since then has been unstoppable. His game has now been more direct and now has more touches in the box. Since then he has started every major match for the Blues. He also has a goal under his name with spectacular performances in the rest. He was Chelsea’s MOTM vs Spurs a win that showed that the team has a lot of character. This was followed by another great performance at Bramall Lane. He has claimed his spot over many big names and looks in no mood to lose it anytime soon.
Tuchel has been crucial in awarding him his favoured No.10 role with another player in a similar position which gives him the freedom to explore his game. Mason returned with great offensive and defensive performances. His pressing game has definitely impressed the gaffer who is known in world football for ‘gregen-pressing’. With an average match rating of more than 7 in his 4 matches under the new boss, Mason has a lot to offer to his club. Even John Terry has claimed that Mason soon will be named among Chelsea’s all-time best and can be the leader Chelsea eye for.
Resurgence of Specialists
Under Thomas Tuchel all players started with a clean slate and are being given the opportunity to prove themselves. Change in system and formation meant an opportunity for many specialists to return. A return of back 3 meant Chelsea’s problem of many centers backs being solved instantly. Rudiger and Christensen now are getting more chances on the pitch along with a return of club captain Azpilicueta in back 3. Azpi provides leadership and solidarity at the back with Thiago Silva who is living his life the best under his former boss. Back 3 also means the return of Alonso in the team who is one of the best-left wing-backs in Europe.
A conflict with Lampard and not being able to able to fit in a back 4 meant Alonso was just out of favor. There were talks of him being sold away but under Tuchel he has proved to be better than ever. Returning a goal in his first start just gave confidence to Tuchel and this definitely means more opportunities for Spanish International. If Tuchel continues with back 3 then Alonso’s presence on the field will be very crucial. Also, a returning pivot of Kovacic and Jorginho has been the most crucial in Chelsea’s domination of games.
Turbo Timo is not Far…
Frank Lampard’s major issue was the inability to get the new German enforcements firing. Under him, Timo started a streak he never wanted of not able to net goals. His drought is the worst in his career but with a new in-charge, in the town, Werner’s performances have improved a lot. He hasn’t scored under the manager yet but has been crucial in the wins. He is making the runs behind defensive lines for which he is known for and his presence in the box has helped Chelsea win penalties more than often. He even is making assists for midfielders to score. His pace is very well being used now and its not far when Timo storm would be firing up in Stamford Bridge.
These all do sum up indicating Chelsea’s future from now looks very bright. Many players might be out of form right now but once all of them start firing, Tuchel’s dream of making this a team that ‘no one likes to face’ will be fulfilled very soon. The top 4 from here will be the target for Tuchel’s boys and lifting the trophy at Wembley also look very much possible.
