We talked about it at Manchester United or Arsenal.
It is at the head of Chelsea that Thomas Tuchel will discover the Premier League, what he had in mind since his surprise ouster at the very end of the year at PSG.
Although, it was the timing which surprised, because everyone knew that his future was no longer registered on the banks of the Seine… Captain with the Blues as he was at Paris Saint-Germain, Thiago Silva him - even explained recently that he expected it.
As various sources announce, the 47-year-old German technician will therefore succeed Frank Lampard on the bench of the London team, still in the race in the FA Cup (round of 16 at Barnsley, English L2) and in the Champions League ( 8th against Atlético) but overall disappointing and only ninth in the Premier League standings.
In various ways, the marriage promises to be successful.
A young and quality workforce
The promises of summer seem far away.
After an XXL recruitment (Havertz, Ziyech, T. Silva…) and € 250 million spent (excluding bonus), Chelsea had to join in the fight for the first places in the English league.
Missed.
At the moment, the qualification for the next C1 is compromised.
Lampard paid for the broken pipes.
And Tuchel therefore inherits a group whose qualities have not gone away.
Objectively, only Manchester City and Liverpool have a more attractive squad on paper on the other side of the Channel.
No reason for the situation to continue.
There is no reason not to believe that Chelsea cannot be on par with Manchester United, Tottenham or Leicester.
The German coach will therefore have plenty to do and his style, his know-how and his mentality should perfectly match the requirements of the Premier League, in a context where the football culture is much stronger than in France.
Especially since it will have to do with a team closer to Dortmund than to PSG in terms of star management.
No Neymar or Kylian Mbappé to attract all the light.
Its collective game can more easily be set up.
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A context more focused on football than in Paris
In Paris, Tuchel often complained about the context.
Between unfair media according to him and a club that does not think of football, the Bavarian was clearly no longer in his comfort zone.
Has he ever really been?
German observers never really recognized the Tuchel they knew in the French capital, this uncompromising and tactically brilliant die-hard.
At Chelsea, he should be able to unfold his methods with more freedom.
Obviously, there is pressure from the Blues too, a big house in the Premier League and at European level.
But Tuchel does not have vocation to officiate in a club of the level of Mainz, the first in which he trained in Germany.
Last but not least, he will not have to juggle between a championship acquired in advance and a predominant Champions League as in Paris.
At Stamford Bridge, the two competitions are at least as important as each other.
Although, it is even the Premier League that takes precedence.
Thiago Silva in the square
Thomas Tuchel and Thiago Silva, as we meet again… The German coach will be able to rely on his former captain at PSG in Chelsea.
A player whose maintenance he has demanded for a long time from Leonardo, in private but also in public, praising the qualities of a defender but also of leader of the Brazilian every time the subject has been put on the table.
To his great regret, the former Milanese left after the Lisbon Final 8, towards Chelsea, only receiving a late offer from Leo.
“He's an incredible captain, a leader, a role model for us, in the locker room and on the pitch.
What's more, he's been playing at an exceptional level since I've been there, since day one, Tuchel said last July.
Whether he plays or not, that makes a big difference.
He's an exceptional guy, a very reliable character.
He's a sensitive personality, but that's good for me, it's his character.
He is extraordinary (on the pitch) and I am convinced that we have a good relationship.
A very close relationship.
Super reliable. ”
The two men will therefore once again have the opportunity to work together and make their association fruitful.
Germans in number in the workforce
In addition to Thiago Silva, Thomas Tuchel will be able to rely on a very German-speaking workforce, including Antonio Rüdiger (whom he wanted in Paris at the last transfer window) and summer recruits Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.
We saw it in Paris, with Julian Draxler, Thilo Kehrer and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, but also Abdou Diallo, recruited in Dortmund, Tuchel likes to surround himself with fellow Germans or players experienced in the Bundesliga games.
It will therefore be served at Chelsea.
Disappointing in their new tunic, Havertz and Werner probably have no secrets from their new trainer, who will be tasked with relaunching them.
Note that Tuchel knows Christian Pulisic very well for having coached him in Dortmund.
His mastery of French will also allow him to exchange without worry with the French-speaking colony (Mendy, Giroud, Kanté…).
Shakespeare's language holds no secrets for him
If he speaks fluent French after three and a half seasons in Paris, Thomas Tuchel walks even more in English.
He also used to switch to English when the subject was sharp.
We know that this is a strong argument for coaching in the Premier League.
Indispensable in fact.
And this even if there are ultimately only five British players in the Chelsea workforce (Chilwell, Reece, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham), in addition to the American Pulisic.
His English will allow him to convey his messages more clearly to the media and supporters, and also to his management.
Like his contractual situation, it was undoubtedly a prerequisite to appear on Chelsea's radar.
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