Thomas Tuchel has insisted Chelsea's victory over Tottenham on Thursday and their upturn in form since his arrival is not down to his coaching methods - and more down to the attitude shown by his players.
Chelsea lost five of their final eight Premier League games under former manager Frank Lampard, yet Tuchel is unbeaten since his arrival 12 days ago and has overseen back-to-back wins following an opening 0-0 draw.
Chelsea edged a tight game to win away against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham on Thursday night and have turned their fortunes around in the hunt for a top four place after the final weeks of Lampard’s reign had seen them slide towards mid-table mediocrity.
“I'm happy with the spirit and the attitude in defending. A very solid team performance and a deserved win,” Tuchel is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
“It's not about my methods. I'm happy with the attitude, the squad, the potential. They are fine guys. It's a nice group and they are open. It's a pleasure to be around them. We have a lot of support in the whole club. It was a quick start but an easy one because I feel very welcome.”
Although the new boss seemingly isn’t keen to take credit, Mason Mount has suggested that Tuchel has added some tactical versatility and unpredictability to Chelsea by changing the style of play.
"We're all learning but obviously it's going well so far!"
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"It makes it difficult for any team we play against. They don't know what we're going to come with."
Man of the Match, Mason Mount, shares how he's adapting to life under his new boss Thomas Tuchel...
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“It is tough to come [to Tottenham] and control throughout but we played very well. The manager wants us to play in that style and it is working well, it is new and different for some of us - including me as a false nine - and we are all learning,” Mount told BT Sport.
“It will be difficult for other teams [against Chelsea] because different formations and tactics means they won't know what we will come with.”
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Source : 90min