REVEALED: Thomas Tuchel WILL keep faith in Chelsea youngsters and club still want to bring in a new striker this summer with Erling Haaland their No 1 target… but Blues’ interest in Declan Rice is DROPPED following Frank Lampard’s sacking
- Thomas Tuchel was announced as Chelsea’s new manager on Tuesday evening
- Predecessor Frank Lampard had brought through many of the club’s young star
- Likes of Mason Mount, Reece James & Tammy Abraham remain as key to Tuchel
- Chelsea remain focussed on landing Erling Haaland in the summer window
- They will now end their pursuit of West Ham’s Declan Rice now Lampard is gone
Thomas Tuchel was announced as Chelsea‘s new manager on Tuesday night and the German said it ‘feels amazing’.
Former Paris Saint-Germain coach Tuchel, who will be in the dugout for the visit of Wolves on Wednesday night, has signed an 18-month deal with the option of a year extension following the sacking of club legend Frank Lampard on Monday.
Ahead of taking his first training session on Tuesday evening, Tuchel said: ‘I would like to thank Chelsea for their confidence in me and my staff. We all have the greatest respect for Frank Lampard’s work and the legacy he created at Chelsea. At the same time, I cannot wait to meet my new team and compete in the most exciting league in football.
Thomas Tuchel took his first Chelsea training session on Tuesday just hours after being hired
Tuchel will stick with Chelsea’s youngsters as he starts his managerial spell at the Blues
‘I am grateful to be part of the Chelsea family – it feels amazing!’
Stamford Bridge director Marina Granovskaia added: ‘It is never easy to change head coach in the middle of the season but we are very happy to secure one of
Europe’s best coaches. There is still much to play for and much to achieve, this season and beyond.’
The 47-year-old wasted no time in getting on with the job on Tuesday as he met the players for the first time and took the club’s final training session in preparation for Wednesday night’s visit of Wolves.
His first team selection could provide an indication of which stars he views as important to his blueprint.
The sacking of Lampard triggered concerns over the futures of the Chelsea academy graduates who thrived during his 18-month reign.
Tuchel replaces Frank Lampard who was sacked as the club’s manager on Monday
The likes of Reece James (right), who broke through under Lampard, will still be key for Tuchel
It is understood, however, that Tuchel views players such as Mason Mount, Reece James and Tammy Abraham as key men in his Stamford Bridge revolution and he will continue to give Chelsea’s youngsters the platform to perform.
The club will back the German in the summer transfer window. They had already started to identify centre forward targets for next season, with Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland among those the recruitment staff admire.
A change of manager is unlikely to alter those plans to sign a new striker, but Chelsea are now set to drop their interest in West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
Lampard had made signing the 22-year-old England international a priority.
Meanwhile, Lampard is likely to take a mini-break before considering his next managerial position, but remains determined to prove his worth as a top boss.
Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland remains Chelsea’s No 1 target in the summer window
Despite being ruthlessly dismissed on Monday, Lampard has enhanced his reputation during his time at Stamford Bridge and will be an attractive proposition for rival clubs.
His No 2 Jody Morris expressed his disappointment at their exit on social media on Tuesday, posting: ‘It’s hurt twice previously that I’ve had to leave this great club, but it’s been on my terms and both times it was done with the bigger picture for me and my family in mind.
‘There has never been a bunch in that dugout who cared more inside Stamford Bridge.’
There was more support for Lampard from Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who said: ‘One thing I know for sure is Frank doesn’t want any of us to feel sorry for him. I know his character and mentality and I’m sure he’ll bounce back and have a very good managerial career.
Chelsea are now set to drop their interest in West Ham’s Declan Rice (right) now Lampard’s left
‘He went through a patchy spell, a short spell – not long ago they were top of the league. It’s the first dip of form they really had under Frank so I’m a little bit surprised.’
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, a former England team-mate of Lampard, said: ‘I did think it was an opportunity for Chelsea to really reach out and support him during this tough period rather than do what they have done. But Chelsea have got history for that, so it was no surprise.
‘I’m gutted for Frank, he’s an ex-team-mate of mine, someone I respect greatly.
‘But knowing the guy, he will be back in no time. He will dust himself down and get back involved. He will use this time to spend with his family.’
