As we all know, earlier this week Chelsea replaced head coach Frank Lampard with highly-rated German boss Thomas Tuchel. The decision came after the Blues endured an inconsistent start to their Premier League campaign following a spending spree in the summer. The Blues look to have pulled off something of a coup, as Tuchel would have been in-demand this summer if the club from south west London had have waited until the summer to change coaches. The former Dortmund boss certainly seems like a shrewd appointment.
Tuchel is a top tactician
Tuchel is regarded as one of the best tacticians in the European game. The German boss is not wedded to a certain formation, he is highly versatile and can adapt his team’s shape mid-game. He likes his team to dominate possession, but he also likes his players to press. In some senses, Tuchel has a mix of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola when it comes to his philosophy of play.
The former PSG head coach is hard to predict when it comes to his starting line-ups too. That should keep everybody on their toes. Tuchel does like to rotate his players, which should suit him at Chelsea because the Blues have a decent strength-in-depth.
It will particularly interesting to see if he can get the best out of compatriots Timo Werner and Kai Havertz. The pair have both lit up the Bundesliga in recent seasons, earning them big-money moves to the Premier League outfit last summer. However, they have struggled to find their best form at Chelsea. Tuchel is a good coach who tends to get the best out of the players at his disposal, even if he does tend to clash with figures in clubs hierarchies.
The sacking of Lampard may appear to be harsh to some. However, simply on experience and tactician acumen that Chelsea fans should be happy with the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as their new head coach.
Chelsea aiming for a top-four return
Tuchel will be straight in the Chelsea dugout for tonight’s game against Wolves. You can read our preview and tips for that game if you visit our soccer predictions page. Everybody connected with the club will be hoping for a quick turnaround in fortunes for the Blues against the out of sorts Midlands outfit. The team from south west London are favourites to come out of the clash with a win, if you fancy a bet why not visit our betting page for the bookmakers we recommend.
With the table congested at the top, a win would no doubt enhance the Blues chances of a return to the Premier League’s top-four and the Champions League spots. The pre-season talk of a title challenge was a tad to premature considering the number of new arrivals in the last transfer window.
The Blues main aim for this season will no doubt be to playing Champions League football once again next season. However, that is also the aim of most of the top half and there are only four spots available. Judging Tuchel on his pedigree and experience, Chelsea could be set for an exciting second half to the season.
We may not see the best of Chelsea under Tuchel until next season after he has instilled his ideas into his players. On paper Tuchel’s appointment seems like a logical and good one. Only time will tell if it produces success on the pitch.
Can Thomas Tuchel revive Chelsea’s flagging campaign?
