Chelsea

“They couldn’t for Lampard?”: Former star questions Chelsea turnaround under Tuchel

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Glen Johnson questions Chelsea turnaround under Thomas Tuchel

According to CheltenhamGuides.com (h/t Daily Mail), Glen Johnson has questioned the Chelsea players for performing under Thomas Tuchel and not Frank Lampard. While he praised the players for performing well in recent weeks, he felt that they could have done the same under Lampard.

Chelsea have been on an upward trajectory ever since Frank Lampard was sacked and Thomas Tuchel was appointed. The club were 9th when Lampard was in charge but under Tuchel, they have climbed up to 4th.

They have also won against the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool in the league while edging out Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

210309 — LONDON, March 9, 2021 — Chelsea s manager Thomas Tuchel reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge in London, Britain, on March 8, 2021.

The former Blues right-back praised the side for doing so well under Tuchel but also asked why they didn’t do the same under Lampard.

‘When Tuchel first came in, Chelsea were beating teams that they should have been beating, but now they’ve shown they can beat Tottenham, Everton and got a good result against Manchester United.

‘I think that Lampard could have done a similar job, it’s just a shame and a problem for the players – how can they perform like this for the new manager but they couldn’t for Lampard? So the players have to look at themselves. But that said, right now the appointment looks good because they’re absolutely flying.’

Liverpool football club player Glen Johnson arrives for a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, northwest England on April 15, 2014. Thousands attended a service at Anfield football stadium in Liverpool as the city came to a standstill on April 15 to mark the 25th anniversary of the day 96 football fans were crushed to death in the Hillsborough stadium disaster when Liverpool played Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup tie in 1989. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS

Johnson’s statements are valid in the sense that Tuchel is pretty much using the same squad that faltered under Lampard. However, the fact remains that Tuchel has introduced so many changes that are directly responsible for the upturn in form.

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He switched to a back three, brought back frozen stars like Rudiger and Alonso. His tactical nous has brought about a sense of solidity in the team as they have only conceded 2 goals in 11 games. Tuchel surely deserves some credit for that.

4 years ago

Sourav Ghosh

Full-time football fan, half-time football writer.