Chelsea will forever bless their luck, as the decision to change manager, with the sacking of Frank Lampard and the appointment of Thomas Tuchel earlier this year looking like the best managerial decision they have made in recent years.
Chelsea fans wave the club’s flag in a Premier League game. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Chelsea
Since then, they have moved on pretty well, with run of good results and managed to get into two finals, the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup, although it did not went as they would have wanted in the FA Cup final, as they lost the trophy to Leicester City, in the final played at Wembley.
Nonetheless, it is a completely changed atmosphere, more positive than when their legend was at the helm, and not only the players, but the fans and every stakeholder at the club will concede this as the truth.
Thomas Tuchel has brought a new system, a new spirit and instilled believe in the players, and it is always evident whenever Chelsea play these days. They have been able to grind out brilliant results, beating heavyweights like Manchester City twice, and Liverpool in the league, while also bettering Atletico and Real Madrid over two legs in the UEFA Champions League on their way to the final.
Chelsea players celebrate Mason Mount goal vs. Real Madrid. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Chelsea.
The German tactician made instant impact at the club, that they went on a fourteen games unbeaten run in all competition since his first game, before unfortunately losing 5-2 at home to West Bromwich Albion, in a game they went one man down since the first half hour.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have lost five in 29 games under Tuchel, however, the cause for alarm is that three of those losses have come in their last four games, and games that looked the most important in their season.
They did seal Champions League qualification on the final day of the league season but that was not without help from external source after losing to Aston Villa, they needed Tottenham Hotspur to avoid defeat against Leicester City in order to progress and luckily, Leicester lost after twice leading in the game.
Nonetheless, it will be a glorious campaign if Chelsea come out victorious in the Champions League final on the 29th later this month, and a new chapter will kick off next season, on a platform that other teams will be envious of.
Thomas Tuchel will surely be looking to add more firepower in the summer. However, he will need the players to play their best game, as they have done in his first games in charge, when they play Manchester City in this weekend.
It is Chelsea’s most important game of the season and the players know how imperative it is to come out victorious.
N’Golo Kanté and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy are both expected to be fit for the final as Chelsea look to add to their one Champions League title, won back in 2012.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
