Chelsea’s in-form defenders are giving Tuchel a welcome problem
https://theathletic.com/2429314/2021/03/08/chelseas-in-form-defenders-are-giving-tuchel-a-welcome-problem/
Chelsea’s defenders are giving coach Thomas Tuchel a problem.
Normally making a statement like that is due to a string of poor performances and/or a lack of clean sheets. But Tuchel’s issues are actually being caused by personnel performing so well.
Why is that a cause for concern? While Tuchel’s primary focus right now is getting Chelsea in the top four as well as sustaining their challenge in the FA Cup and Champions League, the German has one eye on plans for next season too. Tuchel will be assessing in his mind who he wants to keep and let go, especially as the club are also laying down the ground work for any potential transfer targets.
It is understood that signing an imposing centre back, one that can lead and dominate the backline, is on the wish-list. Bayern Munich’s Niklas Sule, RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez, who they have admired since 2016, are three of the names under consideration. As revealed by The Athletic, Chelsea made an enquiry for another Bayern Munich player in David Alaba last summer, but he made it clear he wasn’t interested in a move to Stamford Bridge. His wage demands would be an issue regardless.
The centre half department is already a congested part of the squad, particularly when you take into account individuals out on loan too.
When Chelsea were struggling to win games and keep opponents goalless under coach Frank Lampard, some of the decisions seemed easier to make than others. After going 10 games unbeaten under his replacement and conceding just two goals, it is far more complex.
The displays of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen in recent weeks is one of the reasons why. Both weren’t regulars under Lampard, who pushed the board to get rid of the former last year.
In the 10 matches played under Tuchel so far, Rudiger has featured in all 10, Christensen seven. Both men are out of contract in 15 months’ time and will be able to talk to foreign clubs in January about a free transfer the following summer.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia won’t want either man to leave for nothing and there have been suggestions that the club are planning to offer the duo new deals. That makes perfect sense but The Athletic has been told that this is news to those close to the pair. It is understood no discussions over an extension have taken place with either of them and neither camp has been given any indication of their intention to do so yet.
There is a possibility to sell them this summer because the duo have their fair share of admirers at top clubs throughout Europe. But if they continue to perform at the high level they demonstrated in the 1-0 wins over Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, do Chelsea or Tuchel really want to let them go? It is not as if they will be able to demand a large fee due to their deals only having 12 months left. Mind you, the players themselves might want to pursue a move themselves should an attractive offer come in, especially if they have any doubts about how much Tuchel will use them in future.
Christensen has been regarded as the back-up to Thiago Silva, who is training again after a thigh injury. The latter has thrived since joining from Paris Saint Germain last year and the intention on both sides is to trigger an option so the Brazilian stays for next season too.
Silva turns 37 in September, but the standard of his displays means age isn’t a concern. The positive influence on the camp is another positive factor. His games will have to be managed, which is why keeping someone like Christensen around would be smart.
The situation of club captain Cesar Azpilicueta also needs thinking about, as like Rudiger and Christensen, his contract expires in 2022. The 31-year-old’s fortunes have also improved by starting nine matches since Lampard left and he continues to lead the group on and off the pitch.
Chelsea tend to discuss only one-year extensions with players over 30 — David Luiz (signed a two-year deal before being sold to Arsenal in 2019) and Willian (rejected two-year deal before joining Arsenal) are recent exceptions. Azpiliceuta’s long-term future, just like the others, may also be tied into whether Tuchel persists with three at the back and using him as a right-sided centre half where there isn’t as much running involved as at back or right wing-back. If there is a switch to a back four next season, there will obviously be less places available in the starting XI.
One sellable asset is Kurt Zouma. Chelsea have considered it in 2019 and 2020, but Lampard wanted him to stay. Now a departure in 2021 could be on the agenda, especially if things continue as they are. Tuchel is clearly not too enamoured with the Frenchman having picked him just twice. He is fifth choice, which is some fall from grace because he’d featured in more games than any of the centre backs this season before Lampard was dismissed.
The Frenchman is 26 so would command a good sum. There are two years left on his agreement and perhaps after spending seven campaigns trying to prove he’s worthy of a regular spot, he will decide the time has come to leave Chelsea and find an opportunity to do so elsewhere. Tuchel likes his defenders to be comfortable on the ball and play out from the back, which is not one of Zouma’s attributes.
Then there are the loanees to consider. Fikayo Tomori is impressing at AC Milan having joined them in January. The situation is not clear cut because the Serie A club have an option, not an obligation, to buy the England international at the end of the season for £24.2 million.
They had a similar agreement in place for midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko (the option was worth £31 million) in 2018-19, but there was a suspicion they never intended to trigger it due to lack of funds. There is a possibility history could repeat itself.
Tomori is a 23-year-old England international, who has played 27 times for Chelsea. It’s some call to let him go with the best part of his career still ahead of him.
Mind you, as The Athletic revealed in December, Marc Guehi was being closely monitored at Swansea in view of a possible squad place. Sources suggest he is rated higher by some within the club than Tomori despite not playing in the Premier League yet.
Naturally the departure of Lampard and assistant Jody Morris, two men keen on giving academy players a chance, may have affected things somewhat. However, Guehi continues to be a major asset in Swansea’s bid to win promotion from the Championship and his progress is hard to ignore.
Others that shouldn’t be forgotten about are Ethan Ampadu and Malang Sarr. Like with the other loanees, pre-season training could be vital to their hopes of making an impression on Tuchel.
Ampadu has had his moments at Sheffield United. The fact he has played 30 senior games (including five caps for Wales) this season, which already dwarfs the totals he’s managed in previous campaigns, is a good sign. But the 20-year-old’s cause hasn’t been helped by being at a team that has sat in the bottom three of the Premier League throughout.
Sarr, who joined as a free agent from Nice last year, has been on the losing side twice at Porto, the first of which was his debut in the Champions League at Manchester City and the second came in the Portuguese league cup semi-final second-leg against Braga. Unfortunately, the Frenchman has just 18 appearances to his name. One would think that’s not enough to convince Tuchel.
Clearly all nine options to play centre back that have been discussed here can’t be a part of Tuchel’s plans and the possibility of the manager bringing his own man in further complicates matters.
Tuchel has a lot of thinking to do.
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