Even as he praised his predecessor, Thomas Tuchel managed to give a preview of what his team would be like. “He was one of the key figures to demonstrate in 90 minutes what Chelsea was about: intensity, devotion, winning mentality,” he said. He was discussing Frank Lampard the midfielder rather than the manager during the charm offensive at his unveiling.
Tuchel flattered Lampard and then outshone him. If the Englishman’s team were too porous, the German devised a formation on the plane over from Paris and organised his new charges with such devastating efficiency that they only conceded two goals in his first 14 games at the helm. Lampard left Chelsea in ninth and Tuchel made them Champions League winners in little more than four months.
