The winners and losers of Frank Lampard’s sacking and Thomas Tuchel’s appointment to Chelsea

So here we are again. After many expected the summer of 2019 to be a catalyst for change at Chelsea, with the manager having an extended period to rebuild the playing squad at his own pace, Frank Lampard’s tenure ultimately lasted only 18 months.

Now there is a new man in charge, in former PSG and Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, who has been out of work for just over a month after his dismissal from the Ligue 1 champions on Christmas Eve.

With a talent-riddled squad currently struggling for consistency, in the midst of a five-game league win streak, Tuchel will need to take over as the Blues seek to narrow the current six-point gap from to the first four.

This process begins in wolves on Wednesday evening. However, how different will Tuchel’s first starting XI be from Lampard’s last outfit in the league, a side that lacked ideas and confidence at Leicester last week?

Some will lick their lips at a new man at the bar, you think, while others may look anxiously over their shoulder.

It looks like Mason Mount will be the first victim of Tuchel’s reign, with the Englishman dropping in favor of Callum Hudson-Odoi against the Wolves tonight.

Sports messaging examines which members of the first team could be the winners and losers of Tuchel’s appointment as manager at Stamford Bridge on an 18-month contract.

WINNERS

Timo werner

The Germany international, signed to resolve Chelsea’s scoring woes last season, has endured a scorching first six months in England.

Although he scored twice against Southampton to open his Premier League account on October 17, things only got worse from there. Two goals in 14 league games since, with Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud often preferred up front as a result.

However, playing an unfavorable role on the left, Werner will surely now have an extended opportunity as a number nine under Tuchel. One thing is certain: if the arrival of one of Germany’s most talented coaches does not kick off Werner’s career at Chelsea, what will?

Kai havertz

Likewise, the former Bayer Leverkusen playmaker has struggled to exert his influence since joining £ 90million last summer.

In his defense, factors worked against him, with an episode of COVID-19 and injury issues making consistency hard to find. The 21-year-old should have time to acclimate to a new league and a new country.

Still, patience only lasts so long at Stamford Bridge, as shown this week. Tuchel’s arrival could spark Havertz in life at Chelsea, whether this season or in the run-up to the 2021-22 campaign.

Callum Hudson-Odoi

The 20-year-old’s lack of departures under Lampard, only three in the league all season, is curious given his raw ability and knack for reversing games.

His introduction against West Brom in September helped spark a 3-0 revival, as he was also brilliant as a substitute in Lampard’s last league win over Fulham.

While Tuchel is undoubtedly looking to freshen things up amid the Blues’ flawed attack, Hudson-Odoi could be a beneficiary of the German’s arrival in West London. And indeed, that seems to be the case instantly with the young Englishman ready to step directly against Wolves from a right-back position.

Jorginho

Tuchel has reportedly been interested in a loan deal to take the Italy international to PSG in September and is an admirer of the midfielder’s attributes.

While a move has clearly not materialized, Jorginho has only made eight starts in the league so far this season and could be given an enhanced role under the new manager, possibly in Mateo’s place. Kovacic or Billy Gilmour.

Tuchel is a tough master of tasks and will want players who are dedicated to the cause and ready to take on the tough yards – Jorginho falls into that category.

Antonio Rudiger

Originally frozen by Lampard at the start of this season, the Germany international has started three of Chelsea’s last four league games as he seeks to seal a place in Joachim Low’s squad for this summer’s European Championships. .

Much appreciated in his homeland, PSG Tuchel was an interested party for the 27-year-old this summer.

Although Kurt Zouma has made giant strides under Lampard, the new manager may want to return to the experience during his first weeks at the helm. Rudiger should have his chance to shine.

LOSERS

Billy Gilmour

The 19-year-old was the big breakthrough star during Lampard’s time at the club, with his superb first month of first-team football before the lockdown cut short by a serious knee injury.

Although he entered the fray last month, whether Tuchel will place as much faith as Lampard in Gilmour’s development is another question.

While the new boss will be aware of the panache and quality of the Scotsman in midfield, does he have the stamina and the wherewithal to fit into a Tuchel starting XI? Already, reports have revealed that Gilmour could go on loan before the end of the month.

Mason frame

Arguably the best Chelsea player so far this season, the England international was a kingpin under Lampard – often to the extent of unfair ridicule on social media.

There is no doubt that Mount would be extremely unlucky to lose his place in the starting XI under the new regime … but it appears to be exactly the case within 24 hours of Tuchel walking through the gate.

It has been revealed that he will be leaving the team against Wolves tonight, despite being one of Chelsea’s stars this season and now a regular in his country as well.

The point is, one of Tuchel’s immediate tasks will be to squeeze last summer’s expensive purchases, with Havertz at the top of the list. Unless one of them is played out of position, the pair is unlikely to be in the same starting XI.

Tammy Abraham

After countless loans, the forward got his big Bridge break under Lampard last season.

His comeback was admirable – 18 goals in all competitions, including 15 in the league. Still, for Chelsea, that wasn’t quite enough. Werner came in and was to take Abraham’s place on the team.

It is to the Englishman that he has played in 16 of the 19 league games so far, and he is just coming off an FA Cup hat-trick. But, like Mount, Abraham’s chances of playing regular football could be sabotaged if, as expected, Tuchel perseveres with Werner from the start.

Thiago silva

It will be fascinating to see what the role of the veteran Brazilian is in Tuchel’s squad, with the couple having of course worked together at PSG.

More so, Silva was the skipper of Tuchel. So you would think the partnership would be solid and the 35-year-old would be someone to count on.

Still, during Tuchel’s sacking from PSG last month, Silva gave an interview in which he described the German’s withdrawal as ‘predictable’. Did Tuchel consider this disrespectful?

Silva was highly regarded by Lampard and vice versa, as illustrated by the fact that the center-back was the first player to publicly react to Lampard’s withdrawal as a coach. Could he now be in disgrace under a Tuchel overhaul?

Kurt zouma

The Frenchman, who initially signed for the club in 2014, had finally consolidated a starting eleven place at Bridge this season.

Zouma looked dominant and assertive overall – but just like Mount, could the 26-year-old just be ditched to shake things up?

Although Fikayo Tomori is gone on loan, Andreas Christensen is waiting behind the scenes for some first-team action and with Rudiger likely to reclaim his center-back spot, Zouma could be the one to give way.