Is Tuchel the Klopp of Chelsea? Richards offers a bleak verdict

The Blues dropped club legend Lampard for the German recently, but can he emulate Klopp’s success at Liverpool? Richards suggests not.

Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as Chelsea doesn’t mirror that of Liverpool’s with Jurgen Klopp, says Micah Richards, who isn’t sold on what the German can bring to the table.

The Blues made a bold move last week by ousting club legend Frank Lampard to appoint Tuchel as manager.

The 47-year-old has an impressive resume, having enjoyed success at Borussia Dortmund and most recently Paris Saint-Germain. He even led the latter to their first-ever Champions League final last season.

Having deemed Lampard’s stint as a failure, however, the Chelsea board clearly expects a lot from Tuchel. Considering the large investment made last summer, a title challenge is a must starting from next season.

“Chelsea have appointed Tuchel because they want to win the Premier League and Champions League again. I struggle to see that happening with him,” former Manchester City defender Richards told the Daily Mail.

“What have Chelsea seen in Tuchel that convinces them he will outwit Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp over the course of a 38-game season?

“I’m glad he was realistic in his opening press conference to say they had no chance of winning the title this year but why should that change in 2022?

“[…] I’m absolutely not writing Tuchel off, but something about his appointment doesn’t feel right. If you look at Klopp, for example, you could see Liverpool had a plan and were ready to see it through.

“If Tuchel’s plan for Chelsea doesn’t work, it will be the same old story and another one will bite the dust.”