Tuchel set Chelsea Premier League title target by Granovskaia
Incoming Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has been ordered to make the Blues Premier League title contenders this season by director Marina Granovskaia.
Tuchel is expected to be announced as Frank Lampard ’s replacement imminently, with Chelsea’s boardroom bosses setting the German the task of taking them to the top of the league.
Lampard was sacked yesterday with the Stamford Bridge side sitting five points adrift of the top four in ninth.
The Blues hope to have Tuchel in charge for the trip to Wolves on Wednesday, with the former PSG boss already under pressure to deliver results.
The Chelsea hierarchy, including Granovskaia, decided to move on from Lampard after the loss to Leicester last week.
They believe there is still enough time to catch league leaders Manchester United, who are 11 points ahead of them.
Despite a £220million transfer splurge in the summer, which saw Timo Werner and Kai Havertz arrive in London, Lampard leaves with the lowest points-per-game record of any of the 11 managers to serve under Roman Abramovich.
Abramovich yesterday made a rare statement to explain Lampard’s sacking.
“This was a very difficult decision for the club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him,” he said.
Supercomputer predicts Chelsea's final Premier League position after Frank Lampard sacking
“He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics. However, under current circumstances we believe it is best to change managers.
“I would like to thank Frank for his work as head coach and wish him every success in the future. He is an important icon of this great club and his status here remains undiminished.”
The struggles of Werner and Havertz to settle into life at Chelsea is believed to be one of the key reasons behind Lampard’s departure.
And it is hoped that as a fellow German, Tuchel can get the best out of the marquee signings.
His arrival has been slightly delayed by Covid-19 and work permit issues, with the club hoping he can serve quarantine under the elite sport provision.
Tuchel must first test negative for Covid to get into the UK then again to enter a Premier League bubble.
That will mean he can attend the training ground and matches but has to quarantine at all other times for five days.
Source: Read Full Article