Chelsea: Has Thomas Tuchel built an indestructible Stamford Bridge?

Chelsea once known as one of the worst conceding teams in the whole of Europe’s top five leagues is now firmly becoming one of the hardest to breakdown at the back under Thomas Tuchel.

Thomas Tuchel navigated his Chelsea side to a 2-0 victory in the Champions League on Wednesday night, ending their round of 16 clash against Atletico Madrid with a 3-0 aggregate scoreline.

This now firmly secures their place in the quarter-finals and as an outside favourite. A first-half goal by Hakim Ziyech in the 34th minute and a second-half goal by Emerson Palmieri handed them the win.

The German has brought in a number of changes but the most noticeable alteration is their ability to keep clean sheets, win ugly and see out a 1-0 ball game.

This was something they struggled with under ex-manager Frank Lampard, awarding their opposition cheap goals quite frequently. There was a total lack of discipline at the back with selection a major contribution to this.

Now all of those expelled during the time of Lampard have found new life under Tuchel – and the team has nothing but reaped the rewards of his man-management and more suitable team selection.

Kante and Alonso, just to name a couple, are two players enjoying a second Chelsea lifeline under Tuchel

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Under Lampard, N’Golo Kante and Marcos Alonso were said to be transfer listed and deemed not fit for his plans in the near and far future.

The former put in one of his best Blues performances in his time at Stamford Bridge when they knocked out Atletico in their UCL meeting. We witnessed the N’Golo we’ve come to love over the years.

The latter had no future at the club but now is once again an important character in the team’s success. He [Alonso] only made 3 appearances under Frank, his last showing coming for Chelsea back in September 2020 in their 3-3 draw with West Brom.

The Spanish fullback has now made 11 starts across all competitions this season and eight of them has been during Tuchel’s 13-game reign. The German has now recorded the best start ever by a Chelsea manager.

Even Andreas Christensen has improved and displayed tremendous quality when they beat Liverpool at Anfield. Sadly, he was ruled out of Wednesday night’s Champions League clash due to illness.

Jorginho is another name we can add to the list of revived outfielders. The Blues have kept 11 clean sheets, won nine games and conceded as few as two. Only two goals let by in the space of 13 games. Amazing!

Lampard’s first 13 games of the current campaign the London club let in 11 goals – winning seven, losing two and drawing the rest. The difference is suddenly staggering and the comparison is chalk and cheese between the Englishman and German.

Chelsea and Tuchel well on course for major silverware

They are in the driver’s seat for a top-four finish with fourth-place theirs to lose – and West Ham just below them with three points and a game in hand the difference for the East Londoners.

They have a FA Cup quarter-final coming up against Sheffield United at the weekend. The Blues are definitely favourites to advance past the Blades.

Then there is their UCL run where they will be hard to overcome for any of the other seven left in the competition. All eyes will be glued to the screen on Friday when the big draw takes place. Who will they get?

Tuchel’s old boys Paris Saint-Germain? Or a wounded Liverpool? Two pieces of gold Chelsea can still get their hands on before this congested season ends with them in the running for the FA Cup and Champions Leagues.

Will the Blues win some silverware this season based on their current form since the inception of Thomas Tuchel?