Questions to be asked of Chelsea ahead of Club World Cup
By Bryan Martin
3. How will Chelsea cope without Thomas Tuchel?
Tuchel has been Chelsea’s x-factor since the moment he arrived at Cobham over one year ago. His tactical brilliance rivals that of Antonio Conte, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, and his ability to make adjustments during matches has been instrumental to his side achieving success. The German’s presence alone is enough to give confidence to even the most pessimistic supporter as he’s delivered time and time again since taking over the Blues. Now that Tuchel is confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, there is reasonable concern amongst the fanbase regarding the impact it may have on the squad. These concerns were heightened following Chelsea’s inability to put Plymouth away with the relative ease that should’ve been required on Saturday.
Perhaps everything will be fine, Tuchel will most likely be connected to the squad virtually throughout the week in training and he will be able to provide feedback during matches to his assistants. Still, one cannot help but feel some hesitation without the Blues’ fearless leader to be there on the touchline in a massive tournament. After all, Tuchel hasn’t lost a semifinal in his career at any level. After watching the match against Plymouth without Tuchel on the sideline, it was apparent how significant his physical presence is to the players. Whether it’s a quick adjustment on the fly, a pep talk to oncoming subs or a comprehensive change to the game plan, Tuchel’s absence has ramifications that could cost this Blues squad a desired trophy.
If Tuchel is out long-term (meaning the entirety of the two-match tournament), it will be on more than just Arno Michels to lead this squad. Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and even young Mount will have to play key leadership roles in order to set the tone and mentality for this Chelsea group ahead of its pursuit of the rare FIFA Club World Cup title.