Chelsea’s season so far has broadly been defined by the uneven fixture list. An early run of softer games allowed the Blues to rack up a 17 game unbeaten run; but the tougher matches that followed saw a total reversal in fortune, and eventually lead to the sacking of Frank Lampard.
We’re now back in an easier stretch, and it’s easy to conclude that this was part of the thinking behind bringing in Thomas Tuchel this week. He’s already had a pair of easy games in the shape of Wolves and then Burnley, and while things get a lot trickier when we face Spurs this week, after that it’s plain sailing.
Sheffield United, Barnsley in the FA Cup, Newcastle and then Southampton provide a mouth-watering opportunity to shoot up the table once again. If Tuchel is able to get his talented team playing well, there’s no reason we can’t pick up serious momentum through those games.
Those minutes, along with the scattered days on the training pitch in between, will also allow the new manager to get familiar with his new players; and to get them familiar with his ideas.
That should mean that when we face Atletico Madrid at the end of the month we’re in a better position to give them a good game than we were a few weeks ago. Diego Simeone’s side are a serious outfit this season, and will be among the favourites to win the Champions League. Last year we were totally outclasses by Bayern Munich in Europe, and unless we make serious improvements this month, we risk seeing a similar situation play out.
It will be interesting to see whether the back 3 that we’ve seen in the first two games of the new era is still in use at that point, or whether the former PSG coach is really planning to adapt game by game.
So far, the back three and the presence of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic ahead of them seems like a key feature of Tuchel’s plans. Fans who have seen the pair torn apart by top opposition a few too many times in recent seasons may fear the worst if that’s the case.
On the other hand, a new manager can put these old combinations in a new context, and the wave of confidence and enthusiasm that a few wins could create the belief that anything is still possible this season.
By the end of this month, we could be sitting in a much more comfortable position in the Premier League table, and while Online Casinos won’t have us as among the favourites to win the league, the cups – including the Champions League – will still be on the cards.
Players like Hakim Ziyech could be back from injury, and the whole season could suddenly be looking up. We don’t want to count our points before they’re won, but 30 days from now, there’s a chance we’re very excited indeed.
On the other hand, given the surprises we’ve seen this season already, we’re prepared for anything.
