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Thomas Tuchel has created a Chelsea squad that is challenging on all fronts since his appointment as manager in January 2021. The German manager has made Chelsea one of the most difficult sides to play against in all of Europe.
He led Chelsea to defeat European powerhouses Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City en route to winning the UEFA Champions League within a few months of his appointment.
Thomas Tuchel has a quality squad at Chelsea
Chelsea have one of the most balanced and complete squads in Europe, with multiple players competing for every position on the team. Regardless of this depth, Thomas Tuchel's squad lacks some specific qualities and the Chelsea boss may wish to have some players at his disposal.
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Here is a list of five former Chelsea players who Thomas Tuchel would have loved to work with at Stamford Bridge:
#5 Cesc Fabregas
In his heyday, there were few players who knew how to pick a defense apart with a single pass like Cesc Fabregas. The Spanish midfielder joined Chelsea in the 2014-15 season and helped the side to the Premier League title in his first campaign.
Something Chelsea have lacked at times under Thomas Tuchel is a midfielder who can play defence-splitting passes without breaking a sweat. In the club's last title-winning campaign under Antonio Conte, Fabregas played the role to perfection. The Italian manager sent on Fabregas as a substitute on several occasions against teams playing deep blocks.
The AS Monaco midfielder was instrumental in both Premier League titles Chelsea won during his time at the club. As such, Thomas Tuchel would have loved to have him in his prime.
#4 Eden Hazard
There is no doubt that Eden Hazard wrote his name in Chelsea history as one of their best players. The Belgian international gave Chelsea the best seven years of his career, scoring over 100 goals and winning several trophies.
The forward single-handedly won Chelsea a number of matches and developed into one of the best players in the world at Stamford Bridge. Hazard was instrumental for Chelsea in their 2014-15 and 2016-17 Premier League title-winning campaigns. He ended his Chelsea career in the 2018-19 season with a masterful performance in the UEFA Europa League final win against Arsenal.
The 31-year-old forward has been linked with a return to Chelsea, something Thomas Tuchel may not mind too greatly. Hazard is a proven high-level performer that Thomas Tuchel and no other manager can overlook when fit.
#3 Frank Lampard
One thing Chelsea have lacked under Thomas Tuchel is goals from midfield. Apart from scoring penalties, Chelsea's midfielders have hardly added goals to the team on a consistent basis in recent seasons.
Chelsea's defenders have scored 13 goals in the Premier League alone this season, with seven more coming from midfield players. In the past, they had the Premier League's most excellent goalscoring midfielder in their ranks in Frank Lampard. The man who preceded Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea manager, Lampard always assured his side of double-figure goals in his seasons at the club.
Thomas Tuchel will gladly receive such an accomplished player with the assurance of lots of goals from midfield if he has to make a choice on the matter.
#2 John Terry
Arguably the greatest defender to grace the Premier League and inarguably the greatest Chelsea captain ever, John Terry is a player even Thomas Tuchel cannot say no to. Despite the Blues' meanness in defense, a young Terry would walk straight into their team.
The English defender was known for his reading of the game and calm head in possession, something Thomas Tuchel has today at Chelsea with Thiago Silva. It is, however, his exemplary leadership skills that make him such an asset to any team. The centre-back was so good at leading his team that managers sometimes let him handle the dressing room during and after games.
Terry was an excellent motivator in addition to being an excellent defender, and he always popped up to score the odd goal for the team when he played. He had a ridiculous range of passing with either foot and the ability to play his way out of trouble, something Thomas Tuchel appreciates in his team.
#1 Didier Drogba
The most clutch player in Chelsea's history, Didier Drogba knew how to score when it really mattered. Known as the "ultimate big-game player," Drogba scored nine goals in 10 cup finals for Chelsea, winning eight of those.
The Ivorian striker was the first man to score in four FA Cup finals after his goal in the 2012 final against Liverpool. Drogba also scored the equalizer in normal time and then the winning penalty in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 2012.
Were Drogba not retired, it is inevitable that Thomas Tuchel would jump at a chance to have him on his team for his leadership and winning mentality. Drogba is still revered at Chelsea for his achievements with the club, and remains a close associate of the club even after retirement.
