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| Image Source | Image By – Getty | Goal |
That day, the Blues kept most of the possession, setting a
club and division record, but at the end of the scoreless game, they couldn’t
break through.
club and division record, but at the end of the scoreless game, they couldn’t
break through.
The first game for Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel was a record,
with the Blues dominating the ball in the game against Wolves on Wednesday.
with the Blues dominating the ball in the game against Wolves on Wednesday.
Tuchel was confirmed as Chelsea coach on Tuesday, shortly after
the Blues made the decision to part ways with Frank Lampard.
the Blues made the decision to part ways with Frank Lampard.
Lampard’s
tenure came to an end after just a year and a half, with ex-Chelsea midfielder
following Maurizio Sarri, the man he replaced, initially after less than two
seasons at the helm.
tenure came to an end after just a year and a half, with ex-Chelsea midfielder
following Maurizio Sarri, the man he replaced, initially after less than two
seasons at the helm.
Chelsea fan
‘steaming’ with Thomas Tuchel’s Wolves draw team selection wants him ‘fired’
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| Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian |
Among Blues fans, there was a real buzz as the former
Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain manager took his place for the very
first time in the technical area of Stamford Bridge.
This week, after Roman Abramovich brought the axe down on
Frank Lampard for a woeful run of Premier League form over the winter break,
Tuchel was nominated as Chelsea’s new boss.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
Rome was not made in a day, however, and Tuchel will still
fail to make his mark on this Chelsea squad barely 24 hours after his first
Cobham training session.
fail to make his mark on this Chelsea squad barely 24 hours after his first
Cobham training session.
Yes, there was a record-breaking number of passes and a
better team structure than we saw under Lampard, but there was hardly much to
write about the success of the West London club.
better team structure than we saw under Lampard, but there was hardly much to
write about the success of the West London club.
The Blues were forced to settle against Wolverhampton
Wanderers for a point, managing only two shots on goal, but since December they
have kept their first league clean sheet at Stamford Bridge.
Wanderers for a point, managing only two shots on goal, but since December they
have kept their first league clean sheet at Stamford Bridge.
Editor’s choices
In
place of Lampard came Tuchel, who took charge of his first game on Wednesday
against Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
place of Lampard came Tuchel, who took charge of his first game on Wednesday
against Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
The
game ended 0-0, with Chelsea snagging just one point in Tuchel’s first game at
the head of the club.
game ended 0-0, with Chelsea snagging just one point in Tuchel’s first game at
the head of the club.
Tuchel
admitted ahead of the game that the last few days have been “surreal” while
promising attacking football.
admitted ahead of the game that the last few days have been “surreal” while
promising attacking football.
His
first roster included a few surprises, with Callum Hudson-Odoi deployed as a
wingback in one of his predecessor’s Tuchel Tactical Switches.
first roster included a few surprises, with Callum Hudson-Odoi deployed as a
wingback in one of his predecessor’s Tuchel Tactical Switches.
Although
Tuchel’s Chelsea were scoreless that day, the Blues dominated the ball.
Tuchel’s Chelsea were scoreless that day, the Blues dominated the ball.
Chelsea
made a total of 433 assists in the first half, their highest number in the
first half of a Premier League since at least 2003-04.
made a total of 433 assists in the first half, their highest number in the
first half of a Premier League since at least 2003-04.
Moreover, those 433 total assists were the most important for a
Tuchel side in the first half of a top-level game since May 2016, when Borussia
Dortmund completed 503 assists against Cologne.
Tuchel side in the first half of a top-level game since May 2016, when Borussia
Dortmund completed 503 assists against Cologne.
At
the final whistle, Chelsea had completed 820 passes and recorded 78.9%
possession – the two highest totals for a team in their manager’s Premier
League debut since data began to be recorded.
the final whistle, Chelsea had completed 820 passes and recorded 78.9%
possession – the two highest totals for a team in their manager’s Premier
League debut since data began to be recorded.
Tuchel
was previously in charge of Paris Saint-Germain, having led the Ligue 1 powers
to the Champions League final last season. However, he was sacked by the club
in December and replaced by ex-Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.
was previously in charge of Paris Saint-Germain, having led the Ligue 1 powers
to the Champions League final last season. However, he was sacked by the club
in December and replaced by ex-Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Prior
to his stint at PSG and Dortmund, Tuchel supervised Mainz from 2009 to 2014.
to his stint at PSG and Dortmund, Tuchel supervised Mainz from 2009 to 2014.
With
Wednesday’s draw, Chelsea are eighth in the Premier League with 30 points after
20 games.
Wednesday’s draw, Chelsea are eighth in the Premier League with 30 points after
20 games.
The Blues are five points behind fourth-placed West Ham after playing
the same number of games as their London rivals.
the same number of games as their London rivals.
Tuchel’s Chelsea will be back against Burnley on Sunday
before facing Tottenham next week in a top four prospect clash.
before facing Tottenham next week in a top four prospect clash.