It’s been a superb start to life at Chelsea for Thomas Tuchel.
The German is undefeated in his eight matches in charge, whilst the Blues have conceded just TWO goals since he took over last month.
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On Tuesday, Tuchel secured his biggest win yet as he outwitted Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in an impressive 1-0 victory to put his side in control of their last-16 tie.
It means Chelsea are on the verge of making the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in seven years.
Perhaps what has been most impressive from Tuchel’s short reign is how he has shored up the defence.
With Olivier Giroud’s sublime overhead kick an exception, Chelsea have struggled to be clinical in the final third.
The defence, however, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen drafted back into the fold, have been nothing short of outstanding.
Goals conceded after eight games in charge of Chelsea
Jose Mourinho – 1
Thomas Tuchel – 2
Luiz Felipe Scolari – 3
Guus Hiddink – 4
Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez – 5
Maurizio Sarri – 6
Roberto Di Matteo – 7
Antonio Conte – 9
Frank Lampard – 16
Only Jose Mourinho (1) conceded fewer goals after eight games in charge of at Stamford Bridge.
And the fact that Chelsea have been getting results without playing particularly wel bodes well for the Blues, because when their attack does click, they could be a force to be reckoned with.
In truth, tougher tests than Atletico await.
Yes, they are leading the LaLiga standings but they were lethargic and lacked any sort of attacking threat in the match, which has unsurprisingly led to criticism towards Diego Simeone.
The Spanish top-flight, as we have seen by the recent demise of Barcelona and Real Madrid, is simply not what it once was.
Tuchel has passed his early test as Chelsea boss with flying colours, but it is the visit of Manchester United and subsequent trip to Liverpool that could define Chelsea’s Premier League season.
A victory would blow the race for the Champions League wide open, but they face a United side who have come on leaps and bounds under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Spearheaded by the infallible Bruno Fernandes, the Red Devils are winning games and winning them ugly.
Recent history also suggests that United have a great chance at Stamford Bridge.
Solskjaer’s men have triumphed in their last three outings in west London – but they face a tactically astute Tuchel, who has shown in his short time that he can deliver results in the big games.
One thing’s for sure, it promises to be an intriguing battle at the bridge.
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