London. Todd Boyle stepped up to Chelsea, listened and put a surprising amount of power on the manager.
At first glance, Thomas Tuchel’s position seemed more secure than ever compared to the Abramović era, a much more comprehensive strategy.
Barely six days after the transfer window closed, the American showed his true colors – Malik is willing to risk everything to achieve success.
It was a disturbing sight. 11 Royal Blue players walk around the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, a German on the touchline with sunken cheeks and arms crossed.
Aside from a time near the end when Reese James overtook Robert Ljubicic (with an impressive hairline as Mark Cucurella) Chelsea acted like a disjointed team. Substitute Hakim Ziyech seemed to want to hook the hook for his teammates by rushing forward when calling for free kicks, only to land the blows straight into the wall. Overall, Chelsea did not show enough interest to beat the Dynamo defense and thus the hosts deserved the points ceded.
Angry and indignant players
It was strangely reminiscent of the time Thomas Tuchel The relationship with PSG cracked in 2020. It really struck me that year, when PSG narrowly fell to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, that the coach’s personality lacked the gray areas. Tuchel snarls at his players, rolls his eyes and strikes with his fist.
As long as the relationship is based on mutual respect, high demands can generate the Champions League title (as they did with Chelsea in 2021). But what if the disgruntled players suddenly turned their backs? Maybe three defeats in 17 days against Leeds, Southampton and Dinamo Zagreb.
It is not entirely on Tuchel. Towards the end of his time in Paris, when sporting director Leonardo began to feel complacent about his position, the coach did not talk about Chelsea’s transfer activity and responsibility for everything (something that did not happen during Romain’s tenure). Abramovich’s time, when the other recruits dealt with the recruitment part). The money has certainly been spent by the American owners led by Todd Boehle, which means, among other things, more long contracts for promising talent, which is often sourced from other clubs’ academies.
Money spent but…
However, long-term thinking does not always solve today’s problems. The total sum of centre-back Wesley Fofana and left back/winger Kokurila was staggering (around SEK 1.7 billion depending on bonuses) but the additions broadened the squad significantly. Shortly before the window closed, the club managed to snatch skilled Tuchel Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (who played with a broken jaw against Dynamo and failed to score).
But the question is whether the needs in the back line and attack have overshadowed the midfield too much. N’Golo Kante dominated the Spurs match, his best performance of the season so far, but he is very vulnerable to injury. Conor Gallagher hasn’t delivered – frankly – at his highest level since fall 2021, and Jorginho hasn’t been at his best either.
Add to that the fact that Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who certainly did well, initially replaced the right wing. Mateo Kovacic, also injured, was one of the few players credited against Dynamo but hasn’t found the right balance alongside Mason Mount. It might not work as an excuse, but it might be an explanation.
accustomed to taking risks
Despite the many signs that something was not right, today’s announcement came as a shock. The new owners’ patience is running out and Bohli is already looking for a replacement. Given that Thomas Tuchel belongs at the top of the coaching pyramid, this is an exit that stands out more than usual, much more than when Frank Lampard had to leave. Meeting the German first for a whole summer, and then quickly breaking off relations is a big gamble.
On the other hand, Boehly and other investors are aware of the risk. In the eyes of American intellectuals, they were considered “fools” when they bought the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 for $2.15 billion, a club that today is valued at twice that. At the same time, European football and baseball are two completely different worlds, a fact that you may not have touched yet.
Potter is a name for everyone
Who will replace next? It doesn’t surprise me that Boehle is said to keep an eye on the south coast of England. Graham Potter should be a name for any big club, and his ability to build a strong team regardless of resources is fantastic to say the least. Just as Tuchel tends to move players to individual locations to generate controversy, Potter does the same firmly with great results. Tottenham failed to secure the England player’s signature a few years ago, but perhaps the timing is better now.
From conceding 24 goals in his first 50 matches, Thomas Tuchel has finished 53 goals in his last 50 matches. It’s still kind of a surprise, a bold choice by the owners. If every move of Todd Buhle in England hadn’t already been recorded before, they surely would have been now.
