There has been no rest for the wicked for Thomas Tuchel since he replaced Frank Lampard at Chelsea ten days ago but the manager is now starting to notice the kind of squad he has in west London.
Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Spurs maintained the German’s unbeaten start as Blues head coach, Jorginho’s first half penalty proving the difference on a night where Tuchel’s team spurned chances and Jose Mourinho’s team were poor.
Tuchel took charge of his first game just four hours after signing an 18-month contract to replace Lampard, the 0-0 draw with Wolves at Stamford Bridge, before a three-day break prior to the 2-0 win over Burnley.
Tuchel has now had a bit of time with his players on the training pitches at Cobham and revealed after the victory in north London that he is starting to see bonds build between his teammates, something Tuchel stressed was of huge importance in his first official chat with the media a week ago.
The Blues head coach was asked whether he sees his players enjoying their football again after struggling in the final days with Lampard and Tuchel said: “Well, we are playing football and we have the best job in the world, the guys are so talented and it is also necessary that we are grateful and with all seriousness, we prepare the right way and how serious we take all of the competitions.
“We have a smile on our face even if we work hard and suffer together, working hard together experiencing victories like this is the sweetest feeling you can get and that brings you joy.
“The team works like this every day, it is a real pleasure to see them on the pitch and in the dressing room. I like this group, I feel a strong group with a strong bond and good atmosphere and it is necessary to push each other and that we really lift the feeling that we are together.
“They need to push themselves.”
Tuchel is set to be without influential centre back Thiago Silva for the visit to Sheffield United on Sunday evening after the Brazilian defender picked up a thigh injury in the first half against Spurs.
The veteran star had started every game of Tuchel’s reign thus far until he overstretched when making a vital interception on Thursday night but signalled immediately that he had a problem and was frced off, heading straight down the tunnel and was replaced by Andreas Christensen in Chelsea’s back five.
“It will be very tight for Sunday,” Tuchel added.
“It is only in two days [Sheffield United] but it is hard to give a diagnosis because I saw him only very quickly in the dressing room with a big strap around his muscle.
“We will have to wait until tomorrow [Friday] so we can confirm it but I think for Sunday he is a big doubt and I don’t think that he can play.”
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