Craig Burley thinks Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will be “screwed” if his side replicates this year’s results next season.
It was a turbulent 2021/22 campaign for everyone at Stamford Bridge, which was clouded by a club takeover that’s thankfully now been finalised.
The team on the pitch continued to show real fight amid the backdrop of a complicated takeover, but ended up losing in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup final at the hands of rivals Liverpool on penalties.
Elsewhere, the Blues lost to eventual winners Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. They finished third in the Premier League, 19 points behind champions Manchester City, too.
Burley thinks Tuchel will be screwed
ESPN pundit Burley has boldly suggested Chelsea’s manager is in massive trouble if he doesn’t get better results when the new campaign starts.
It’s a new ownership at the Bridge. Therefore, everyone is waiting to see how much it differs from the previous regime, especially when it comes to the hiring and firing of managers at a frequent rate.
Burley seems fairly adamant Tuchel is under big pressure, though.
“Thomas Tuchel is going to be screwed next year if he gets the same results,” he told ESPN.
“This new ownership are going to have to make a stand to show the fans they mean business.”
Chelsea expectations
In fairness, the level right now of Man City and Liverpool means it’s a massive challenge for any side trying to close the gap to them in the league.
If the Blues recruit correctly, maybe they do stand a chance of bridging the gap.
However, the expectation on Tuchel should be based on how much he’s backed financially in the transfer market.
He’s at a massive disadvantage right now after losing senior centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, while defender Cesar Azpilicueta is still being linked with a possible exit.
The love and support from the Chelsea fanbase towards Tuchel is something the new owners really need to pay attention to.
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