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  • Sports - Football - All Teams
  • Updated: February 05, 2021

Thomas Tuchel: 10 Days At The Helm Of Stamford Bridge

Thomas Tuchel: 10 Days At The Helm Of Stamford Bridge

Thomas Tuchel marked his 10 days in office at the Stamford Bridge with a narrow 1-0 win over former Blues boss, Jose Mourinho away from home to complete his second victory in 3 matches of the English Premier League (EPL).

Tuchel was appointed as a replacement to former Chelsea legendary midfielder, Frank Lampard after series of winless run dropping the London team to 9th on the league standing.

The German tactician was without a team after being dismissed by Paris Saint-Germain despite taking them to their first-ever Champions League final in 2019-20 campaign.

Tuchel was not new to the coaching job like Lampard who only started his coaching career just about 3 years ago when he was appointed to coach Derby County - a second-tier club in the England football.

Thomas 47, had coached at least two top clubs in Europe -- Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain excluding his time at Mainz 05 who are also playing in the Bundesliga -- the top-flight football in Germany.

FIRST 3 GAMES AT CHELSEA

His first game was against Wolverhampton Wanderers which was just a day after his appointment as the first German coach of the English club.

In his first game, Tuchel proved he was indeed an experienced coach when he turned to the aged players at the club, returning the likes of Rudiger, Azilipcueta, Giroud to the starting line-up.

He knows the importance of these experienced players to the squad giving him not just the dressing room control but also harnessing their adaptability to the league.

His second game was more of the same - as he returned long term benched, Marcus Alonso to the squad benching Ben Chilwell.

He earned his investment of trust in the Spaniard when Alonso slammed a volley into the roof of the net to give Chelsea a 2-0 lead over Burnley and Tuchel, his first win as Chelsea manager.

His third game was even more tasking as he faces not just a big team in the league but JOSE MOURINHO's Tottenham -- a 2-time manager of the Blues.

READ ALSO: EPL: Full-backs Rescue Tuchel's Chelsea Against Burnley

Mourinho is more experienced, more successful, more tactical, well adapted to English football, arguably the toughest league in Europe.

FACING MOURINHO

If some Chelsea fans were doubting Tuchel's capabilities, after Thursday fixture, he surely captured their attention and approval.

Before the match, Mourinho called the German out with the "easy to win trophies at Chelsea" statement which puts undue pressure on him to at least win a trophy in his first season and ahead of their first ever clash.

He shrugged off the pressure like a pro, when he fielded his players and walked out the tunnel greeting the Portuguese with a smile and a brief conversation.

His line-up was more of the same -- except for Timo Werner, James Recce who were returned to the starting line-up.

After 23 mins of play, Eric Dier tripped Timo Werner in the box, referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot without even consulting with the VAR to give Chelsea the penalty.

Jorginho was returned the mantle as Chelsea's penalty taker as the Italian midfielder stepped up without his usual style, he slammed it past Hugo Lloris, the French man guessed right but the ball was too fast to catch it.

The 1-0 scoreline lasted throughout the 90 mins with Chelsea getting most of the possession to 58% with 631 passes completed and a 88% pass accuracy.

POSSESSIVE STYLE TO LONDON

Of all teams in London, Pochettino's Tottenham is the only team that during their time were more possessive in their style but Tuchel is turning Chelsea into one.

His first game at Chelsea, he ended the first half with 466 passes, 92% pass accuracy with a 71% possession managing only 5 shots with 2 on target.

A statement by ESPN football expert was "Is Tuchel trying to win a passing contest?".

The game ended with 898 passes retaining the 92% pass accuracy.

So if it was indeed a passing contest Tuchel won emphatically with Wolves completing 242 passes with 71% accuracy.

But it wasn't a passing contest but a goal contest so it was about the ball over the line.

The German learnt his lesson as he kept his possessive style but made sure his side pulled two over the line against Burnley and managed one over the line against Tottenham to make it 2W, 1D after 10 days at Chelsea.

UNDOING LAMPARD'S WORK

Comparison is one thing that cannot be undone in football as one manager will be contrasted with another especially if the former was sacked.

Chelsea are more fluid, mobile and energetic when going forward under Tuchel even though we are yet to see his full attacking array.

His deployment of the full-backs in attack rather than over-dependent on wingers is an example of modern football which was less seen in Lampard's play.

Jorginho was reinstated as the side penalty taker after being dropped by Lampard.

His management of the dressing room is more balanced as he is not placing undue preference to English players but it seems all German players in the squad are playing more -- Havertz, Werner, and Rudiger.

Rudiger was almost extinct under Lampard but now he is a pivotal member of the 3-man Chelsea defence.

Thiago Silva was subbed off against Tottenham and Christensen was brought -- with the only person who has not seen much play under Tuchel is Kepa Arrizabalaga.

MORE TEST AWAITS HIM

In his EPL campaign, Chelsea face more acid tests when they visit newly-resurrected Sheffield United who are trying to survive in the bottom half of the league.

Followed by Newcastle, Southampton, Manchester United, Everton, and Leeds United.

With the return of the Champions League, they will La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid in a two-legged match which will interface with their match against Leeds United and Liverpool with each at the terminal.

So far, after 10 days Tuchel seems better than Lampard but in football, you are as good as your last match -- knowing Roman Abramovich, he should enjoy this period while it lasts.

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