MX23RW : Friday, February 7 10:41:46| >> :120:12828:12828:

Thomas Tuchel refuses to accept praise for Chelsea's unbeaten run

The Blues have climbed up to fourth in the Premier League since Thomas Tuchel took charge.

Thomas Tuchel has batted away the praise despite guiding Chelsea to a 10-match unbeaten run since taking the Stamford Bridge tiller.

Tuchel has already masterminded victories over celebrated managers Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho and Diego Simeone since replacing Frank Lampard in west London.

Chelsea were languishing down in ninth place when Tuchel took charge – just five weeks later the Blues are fourth in the table and three points shy of third-placed Leicester.

Taskmaster German boss Tuchel has refused to take credit for that resurgence however, instead insisting the players must receive the plaudits.

Asked to explain his role in Chelsea's revival, Tuchel replied: "I am flattered but I will just give the flowers to the players and to the club.

"It is proven that Chelsea is an organisation and a club that has everything that you need to be successful as a coach and as a football team, so now it is my job to bring out the very best of myself, together with the team.

"There is no other way to express myself than with team performances."

Tuchel inherited a Chelsea squad lacking direction as Lampard's reign had stuttered to a frustrating end.

The former Paris St Germain boss has quickly whipped the Blues into defensive rhythm however, with his side having conceded just twice on his watch.

Thursday's 1-0 win over reigning champions Liverpool at Anfield provided another big step forward, following important wins at Tottenham and also against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Tuchel will go up against another big-name coach, Carlo Ancelotti, when Chelsea host Everton on Monday night, with the fifth-placed Toffees boasting a game in hand over the Blues.

"I am happy to be on the sideline. I feel an attitude, an unbelievable attitude towards training, towards games, I feel the bond that is necessary," said Tuchel.

"In the whole world when football is played, the teams that stand out are the teams that fight for each other, are ready to sacrifice, are happy for each other, push each other from the bench and this is exactly what I found.

"I found a lot of talent. It's a pleasure to compete with this team and this group against other strong, strong managers and with their groups and to be in this competition is pure joy. It is everything that you look for as a coach."

ID:437928: cacheID:437928:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5279:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring their second goal in the Europa League on February 18, 2021
Read Next:
Friday's paper talk: Bruno Fernandes, Ibrahima Konate, Jorginho
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brentford24103114342133
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton248973539-433
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
16Everton236892328-526
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!