The new kid on the Chelsea block — well, not really a kid in any sense — continues to urge a step by step approach. Ooh baby, indeed. (For all you actual new kids in the audience, BEHOLD the reference.) Left foot, right foot, your body will follow.
Of course, realistically, any other approach would be foolish, especially when every single game is a must-win test of extreme importance, be that in the Premier League, where half the table are scrapping for the top-four, the FA Cup, where a single loss is all it takes for the trophy to go somewhere else, or the Champions League, which has once again become an elusive dream highest on the owner’s priority list.
A massive test awaits in the latter in just a few days, not to mention the league games coming up, but the worst thing we could do is look beyond Saturday’s test at massively out-of-form Southampton. It is only human nature to do so, which means it’s up to the coaching staff to ensure that the players stay on task.
“The thing is that we do our stuff right, and that we are brave enough to play our game and to impose our style and our momentum onto opponents. We want to play the same game no matter who’s on the other side.”
“The challenge now is to be ready tomorrow, and after tomorrow we will see what we do against Atletico, then Man U and Liverpool. [...] The focus is on Southampton. I believe that I learn a lot about my team in every game no matter who is on the other side because I respect my opponents. In the moment of the game, the toughest opponent is the guy on the other side, that’s it.”
Tuchel’s yet to lose as Chelsea head coach, but he’s had a fairly favorable schedule thus far. But you can only win the games you get to play, and the wins will have served to restore confidence, nurture belief and commitment, and hopefully lay the foundations for a good run in the second half of the season.
Tuchel’s been obviously happy with what he’s seen and gotten from the players, and not just on the training ground, but in games as well. He’s the type of coach who loves instructing and explaining as a teacher would, which makes seeing his players pass the tests put in front of them all the more fulfilling.
“I have experienced incredible work ethic from the players. They are hungry and eager to improve. Eager to compete as a team which is the most important. I feel them all together as a group. We can totally rely on them to play our principles in the game and when we decide how to approach games. This is the most important thing.”
“There are so many good behaviours, signals and good minutes in our games that this is a pleasure to work with and it is a very good level from where we want to improve.
“This is the challenge in top sports to improve every day. To take each day carefully and appreciate every day on the training pitch or in the games and to use it for improvement. This is the feeling that I absolutely have and where I am 100 per cent involved and this makes me happy because this is why I am a coach. [...] It is a pleasure to be here and work with the guys.”
-Thomas Tuchel; source: Football.London
Results, moods, and fortunes can often change quickly and drastically in football, but right now, the going’s good so let’s keep the good thing going.