Thomas Tuchel admits things will feel a little surreal in the technical area at Goodison Park today when he comes face-to-face with the man he replaced at Chelsea.
But the Stamford Bridge boss knows that, either side of the 90-odd minutes at least, things will be amicable with ‘gentleman’ Frank Lampard, who showed nothing but class after Roman Abramovich showed him the door to usher in the German.
Asked if it would be a little surreal meeting Everton boss Lamps, Tuchel said: “A little, yes. I still don’t feel 100 per cent comfortable because I took over from him in the middle of the year. We had a quick chat then because he was a real gentleman and sent me a long message after I took over and I replied to him.
“I had this feeling and I knew that the decision was done and that I did not have anything to do with pushing him out because I was happy to see a legend like this on the sidelines of his club. This is a very nice story and a story football needs, like Pep Guardiola at Barcelona and now Xavi at Barcelona. I like these kinds of stories.
“So to play against him now at Everton is big because I was also a huge fan of him as a player and he was a true gentleman when I took over. So, absolutely, I will be happy to meet him in person. Although we will not exchange any gifts. this is agreed. I am also excited because lots of people tell me how great atmosphere can be at Goodison Park and this is one of the true, old-school English grounds to play at.”
For Lampard and his men — and everyone associated with Everton — today’s clash is huge as the battle to stay in the Premier League. They have five games to go after this one and desperately need to get out of the bottom three. What won’t make today’s game any easier is the fact they are up against a group of players who are proven winners.
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Not least Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, who has won every trophy there is to win and who captained his team for the 200th time in their 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Thursday. Tuchel added: “He is just an example and he has such a huge influence.
“An owner or CEO of an NBA club once said to me, ‘You take the mentality of your best players, of your captains’, and this team has taken the mentality of Azpi over years now. I’m so happy this is possible, that such a humble, nice, friendly person, who is not the most talented footballer in the world, can lead a club like this to all the titles you can possibly win.
“This a perfect story and so, so nice to watch and be around, because he is that guy, he is humble, he is friendly, he is a family person and he is so, so hard working. He has the mentality of a real fighter and also of a water carrier, who is always ready to help anybody out. This is huge and he has had this influence as captain over many years. It’s simply exceptional.”
