sport news Chelsea: 's attacking riches are working AGAINST him

sport news Chelsea: 's attacking riches are working AGAINST him
sport news Chelsea: Thomas Tuchel's attacking riches are working AGAINST him

Chelsea have a gem in Thomas Tuchel. Whatever current problems they’re facing, he’s a guy who can sort it out.

It took Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp time to build Manchester City and Liverpool in their own image so for Chelsea to win the Champions League and reach two domestic cup finals within Tuchel’s first 12 months is a great achievement for the manager.

None of that is meant to gloss over Chelsea’s indifferent run. Their policy of regularly changing managers and running transfers at boardroom level has worked well previously but has definitely hit a snag now. 

Thomas Tuchel has seen his Chelsea team falter away in the Premier League in recent weeks

Thomas Tuchel has seen his Chelsea team falter away in the Premier League in recent weeks

It may seem strange but I think their heavy spending has left Tuchel with too many options in attacking areas, making their strength in depth a weakness.

Instead of sticking to a tried-and-trusted front three, as Jurgen Klopp has done at Liverpool, Tuchel has regularly rotated to give all his expensive acquisitions a chance and find the best combination.

The result has been a lack of fluidity because none of them have had enough time to build up the rhythm required at a new club. 

Guardiola has a similar selection policy at City but the difference is he’s picking between the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, who have been at the club long enough to understand how the team plays.

Jurgen Klopp has stuck to the same front three for the best part of the last three seasons

Jurgen Klopp has stuck to the same front three for the best part of the last three seasons

While Pep Guardiola has adopted a similar policy with Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez

While Pep Guardiola has adopted a similar policy with Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez

In contrast, Chelsea have spent more than £250million in the last 18 months on Romelu Lukaku, Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech. Christian Pulisic only arrived the summer before.

They are all competing for three places in Tuchel’s 3-4-3 with the likes of Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

It’s too many and Tuchel is going to have to make some tough choices and even let players leave as trying to keep everyone happy isn’t an option if you want to be successful.

For me, Mount has to start because he is the most reliable and productive. You know he’s a 7/10 at worst every week whereas you don’t know what you’ll get with the others. 

Chelsea's midfielder Mason Mount

And Blues midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi

Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi are competing for a starting spot at Chelsea

Lukaku also has to start because he is the proven goalscorer who, given time, will convert the chances. 

Nearly every successful team has that go-to marksman; from Thierry Henry at Arsenal to Liverpool’s Mo Salah in the present day.

My admiration for Tuchel has grown the longer he’s been in England.

It’s been a blow for him

read more from dailymail.....

NEXT Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano in action: Fight card, odds, date, opponents, start time, complete guide