While Manchester City had been constructing in direction of what they thought was their second within the Champions League for 5 years beneath Pep Guardiola, Chelsea confirmed with their victory in Saturday’s closing in Porto what might be achieved in simply 4 months.
That is how lengthy has elapsed since Thomas Tuchel turned coach, changing Frank Lampard with Chelsea ninth within the Premier League.
The German oversaw a direct transformation of their fortunes, dragging them into the highest 4, taking them to the FA Cup closing which they misplaced to Leicester City, and now profitable the Champions League.
They have crushed Guardiola’s City for the third time in six weeks due to Kai Havertz’s objective, and they’re champions of Europe for the second time.
Tuchel is about to reap the rewards with a good-looking new contract, though whether or not he might be allowed to place down roots in west London stays to be seen given how managerial cycles are inclined to go at Stamford Bridge.
Once once more a mid-season managerial sacking has labored out completely for Chelsea, whose 2012 Champions League triumph got here following the choice to sack Andre Villas-Boas and appoint Roberto Di Matteo.
This time Chelsea have struck gold with Tuchel, however the 47-year-old wouldn’t have been capable of ship such success with out the large funding in gamers that got here earlier than his arrival, in addition to a number of the excellent younger skills who had been already thriving beneath Lampard.
Room for enchancment
Five of Chelsea’s line-up on the Estadio do Dragao had been signed initially of the season, together with match-winner Havertz, the 71 million-pound ($100m) recruit from Bayer Leverkusen. There was additionally Reece James and Mason Mount, youth academy graduates who’re in England’s squad for Euro 2020.
This is a workforce that has already conquered Europe however that seems to be simply initially of its journey collectively.
“We have a powerful bond, a powerful group who can actually defend and play and have solutions on all questions within the recreation,” Tuchel stated on Saturday.
“Once the celebrations are over and once we digest this experience, it is the moment to grow, to evolve, to learn from it and become better.”
There is big room for enchancment within the Premier League after Chelsea completed 19 factors behind champions City, and a correct home title problem might be anticipated now.
“When you play for a membership like Chelsea you’re all the time pondering sooner or later,” said veteran skipper Cesar Azpilicueta.
Tuchel knows full well that past success counts for little — Di Matteo was gone within six months of that 2012 victory and Tuchel himself was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain last December despite leading them to their first ever final last season.
‘I want the next one’
“When we won the Cup in Dortmund I did not arrive at the next training with less hunger, less desire or ambition,” he stated.
“Of course now’s the time to have fun for some days, to get pleasure from and let it sink in, for one or two weeks, to speak about it and replicate on it, however then it does surprisingly not loads to you.
“I believe it’s good as a result of no person needs to relaxation. I need the subsequent one, the subsequent title. I need to be part of it and I demand to be part of it and that is what comes subsequent.”
He was initially handed just an 18-month contract but has earned an extended deal after what he has achieved in such a short time.
“I am not even 100 percent sure, but maybe I already have a new contract now with that win. My manager said something about that but I didn’t know so let’s check this first,” he advised reporters with a smile.
“My need is to go for extra victories, to develop as a coach and to push the group on the primary day of subsequent season to the restrict.”
The next Premier League campaign starts on August 14, but Chelsea will play three days before that against Villarreal with an opportunity for another trophy in the UEFA Super Cup.
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