Chelsea booked their place in the Champions League’s quarter-finals with a win over Atletico Madrid earlier tonight.
The Blues have been exceptional since the former Paris Saint Germain manager Thomas Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard.
Lampard was relieved of his duties earlier this season after failing to get the best out of his players. The Blues struggled to get into the top four under the former Chelsea midfielder’s management despite a huge summer transfer. Chelsea brought three attacking players, one centre-back and a left-wing back in their squad.
Tuchel has not only managed to get Chelsea back in the race for Champions League qualification, but he has also put them in an excellent position to challenge for the Premier European trophy this season.
Ever since the German took over at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have scored 15 goals and conceded just twice in 13 matches across all competitions. The Blues have won 9 and drawn 4 of those games.
The clean sheet against Atletico Madrid tonight was their sixth consecutive shut out, and they have managed to prevent the opposition from scoring in eleven of their 13 matches under Tuchel.
The German is also the first manager to defeat Diego Simeone over two legs in a Champions League knockout tie without Cristiano Ronaldo in his team.
His unbeaten start at Chelsea is now better than any manager in the club’s history.
Rotation of Players
Chelsea were not able to release players and ended up with a bloated squad. Tuchel has managed to rotate his squad well. None of his players can say that opportunities did not come their way.
Unlike his predecessor, who clearly had his favourites in the team, Tuchel engaged everyone in his team. So all the players are ready for their share of glory when they are called.
Attitude
The German has managed to get the best out of the players, like Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso – players who were struggling to get a game under Lampard.
Recently an unnamed Chelsea player described the difference between working with Lampard and Tuchel as night and day.
The players are ready to give their best.
Game plan and Strategy
A specific game-plan is evident during Chelsea matches. Players know what is expected from them.
Eleven players are there to execute team strategy. They are all talented, but they were not able to do justice to their names. Previously they were blamed for a leaky defence and an ineffective midfield.
As Tuchel took rein, players like Rudiger, Alonso, Christensen, Kante, Kovacic are all back in their best. Perhaps it not for one reason. But they have all started enjoying their game.
It will be interesting to see if the German can build on his outstanding start to life at Stamford Bridge and guide them to silverware this season.
Chelsea are in an excellent position to finish in the top four of the Premier League, and Roman Abramovich will certainly be delighted with his decision to a point the German midway through the season.
