new boss Thomas Tuchel vows to build Chelsea team ‘that nobody wants to play against’

Thomas Tuchel has pledged to conjure the “special energy” required to turn Chelsea into serial silverware winners.

The new Blues boss insisted he does not see many weaknesses in Chelsea’s ranks, having taken the Stamford Bridge helm from the sacked Frank Lampard.

German coach Tuchel oversaw his first Chelsea match as the Blues laboured to a frustrating goalless Premier League draw with Wolves in west London on Tuesday night.

And straight after that stalemate, Tuchel insisted he can provide the off-field personality to turn Chelsea into long-term winners – and also a team nobody wants to take on.

“From now on I don’t see too many weaknesses: I will focus on our strengths, the mix is amazing of the team between experienced players, big personalities and young, hungry talent,” said Tuchel.

“I’m used to creating the special energy and atmosphere you need to create the possibility to win every three days in a league like this.

“And I believe we can do this on a daily basis.

“What I saw yesterday (in training) was very open stuff, very helpful stuff.

”We will build a team that nobody wants to play against. And that’s the challenge for me to do that as quickly as possible.”

England winger Callum Hudson-Odoi featured at wing-back for the first time in his fledgling career, as Tuchel kicked off his Chelsea tenure by deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation.

While Chelsea created a hatful of half-chances overall, the first-half proved a stodgy affair with the hosts dominating possession but lacking incision and impetus.

These are just the problems that beset the sticky parts of former boss Lampard’s stint at the Stamford Bridge helm.

Chelsea have now won just two of their last nine Premier League matches, and Tuchel refused to be drawn on whether the Blues can contest this term’s league title.

Asked if Chelsea can win the league this season, Tuchel replied: “The title, ooh, that’s far away, we have to be realistic at the same time.

“When you sign for Chelsea as manager it’s absolutely right you sign for the expectation to fight for titles, Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues and cups.

“It’s absolutely clear, but at the same time we have to be realistic that there are a lot of teams and points between us and fourth.

“So maybe it’s the best time now to step up in the middle of the season, and we can’t lose focus in looking too far ahead.

“We must stay now and work on a daily basis on details and progression in our game, and points will follow.

“I’m absolutely sure we have the capacity to hurt everybody in every league and competition, and it’s my job to bring evidence of that as fast as possible.”

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo insisted his Molineux men had not come to Chelsea to spoil Tuchel’s launch party.

Instead the Portuguese maintained Wolves were simply happy to secure a point, and a much-needed clean sheet.

Asked if Wolves had wanted to ruin Tuchel’s night, Nuno said: “No, there was no party, not for anybody.

“A football match isn’t a party for anybody.

“It was just about us, because we needed to have a good game.

“It’s about us, no matter what happens at Chelsea, we cannot get distracted from that.

“We had a gameplan, we stuck to it and we came out of it with a good point.”

Online Editors