Chelsea is Champion of Europe. Although the celebrations are still going on, some reflection on how we got here will make the victory even sweeter. As they say in German “Die Mannschaft ist Meister” which means the team are champions and we are going talk about the German injection that has been a huge part in achieving the Champions League.
The arrivals of three Germans over the past 12 months has really implemented an atmosphere in the club that has caused great things to happen. But we must not forget the likes Antonio Rudiger who arrived in 2017 and who was immense all season like the players before him like Michael Ballack, Andre Schurrle and Robert Huth. Not many Germans have graced Chelsea Blue, but all have brought the culture and mentality to the club that brought us success. History backs that statement up, not only at Chelsea, but across Europe with the last three Champions League winners having a coach that is German. First Jurgen Klopp, then Hansi Flick and now Thomas Tuchel, so is this merely a phase or a sign to the future I think it might be the latter.
We’ve seen over the history of this club managers, players, and staff from all over the world who arrive and bring along their culture and ways of thinking that have really provided new and fresh ideas. That gains the club support from around the world with us the fans wanting to support the players from our countries but also the team as a whole. With Chelsea being such a multicultural club throughout both the women and men teams, it makes us an everchanging team on the pitch that brings both domestic and continental success but keeps the identity of the club which is the Pride of London and a team that anyone can support.
So many managers who have walked through the door at Cobham and Harlington, have brought their own philosophy and identity that they have implemented in the team. From the Italians Gianluca Vialli, Claudio Ranieri, Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Di Matteo, Antonio Conte and Maurzio Sarri to the Portuguese speaking of Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Andre Villas-Boas and everyone before and after. Those eras have passed and may be revisited but for now we have seen a trend of young and upcoming German managers that have really been taking over football as of late. Which lead the club to appointing their first German manager Thomas Tuchel midseason and the rest is history.
What he has done from late January to late May has been remarkable he changed a club who looked down and out after a horrid run of games and changed the way the team played quickly. He beat top managers along the way while achieving a top four finish, reaching the FA Cup final and winning the top prize of them all the Champions League. This season he has beat Pep Guardiola three times and Saturday afternoon once again implemented a game plan to stop his team but this time beat him at his own game by winning a final against man who doesn’t lose many finals.
But a huge thanks must go to Frank Lampard though who laid the ground work for Tuchel and everything he achieved. From bringing the academy players to the first team and the recruitment this past summer his legacy has only grown and he will remain a legend of this storied club. It is important that we appreciate the good times with a manager because there is no guarantee that they will be here for a long time no matter what success they have earned. Tuchel is being backed right now and for obvious reasons but bad results will see him leave just like Di Matteo in 2012 and so many other managers. For now, let’s enjoy the Tuchel era and hope for continued success next season and for years to come.
We talked about the manager and German flair he brought with him but now let’s talk about the three Germans on the pitch who have contributed to the ultimate goal. Antonio Rudiger has been at the club since 2017 winning the FA Cup, Europa League and now the Champions League. He has put nothing less than 100% effort throughout his time here and was integral part in winning all those trophies. That goal saving tackle on Phil Foden in the first half and clearances during the whole game stopped arguably the best attacking side in the world and he has established himself as one the best center backs this season.
Now on to the two up front who have caused mixed emotions among the Chelsea faithful but one of them in Kai Havertz not only justified his price tag with his goal but has firmly himself into the history of this club and has set himself up to be the future of this club. Not to throw any shade at Timo Werner he has had and up and down campaign but has contributed to the team valuably and hopefully will flourish next season alongside both Rudiger and Havertz.
I highlighted everything that this “German Revolution” has brought to the club and why it has played a huge part in Chelsea’s Champions league triumph but now let’s look forward to the future and what it may bring. We know that Tuchel will be signing a new deal until 2023 with an option of a further year according to reports, Rudiger, Havertz and Werner will head to the Euros and hopefully return to preseason full of confidence. Potential so more Germans will arrive like Niklas Sule or Florian Neuhaus and when Tuchel departs in hopefully the distant future another German manager may arrive continuing the revolution that he started and adding to his success. So I leave you with this “Auf eine erfolgreiche Zukunft” (Here’s to a prosperous future).
What are your thoughts on the Germans at the club and success they have achieved so far? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!