It's been really nice...

Possibly. If you look at the composure in midfield there seems to a lot less turning back immediately to retreat. Of course that may be down to the extra coverage in the back now but we also had that at times under Lampard yet still found the same panic on display.

Maybe there's more trust that if they follow Tuchel's instructions they're less likely to get caught out...which we did, frequently, under frank.

I can see young Billy taking Jorginho's spot though if I'm honest.


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Probably needs to play him before he’d get that chance

Looks a class act every time I’ve seen him play, very intelligent player

His played once so far. It isn't as if Tuchel has been here ages. He will get his chance as long as he proves himself. Tuchel has pointed out the same thing and wanted Billmour to stay. Only positive things to say about him.

I'm back to my questions re Pulisic/Havertz/Ziyech

Where do these fit in

We had a good midfield last season under Lampard with Jorginho and Kovacic. They played really well early in the season. Then Kante came back from injury and Lampard tried fitting him in and it just didn’t work.

This season Lampard tried fitting in too many attacking players/new signings. Team had no chemistry on the pitch. Felt like they’d never trained together before. Which is what led to his downfall.

TT is playing it safe atm which is fine. Gone back to basics with this squad. Playing a formation that a lot are comfortable with. Our best midfield pair back in midfield. A back 5/3 which makes us stronger defensively and has dropped most of our out of form attackers.

Think you're selling him a little short is saying he's playing it safe and taking it back to basics. It might be true in that he's brought the basics back because we fell well short before but it hasn't stopped there.

Playing it safe in squad choices though yeah. Experience first has kept a couple in the side that likely shouldn't be there.

Jorgi and Kovacic (especially the latter) have stepped up their game since TT arrival so far. Sterner tests yet to come though.

Kante has been unlucky with his injuries, it’s understandable that he is struggling to keep up with the intensity of the game.

Still plenty to play for to the end of the season. I am hoping he’ll have a role to play, but needs get up to speed soon.

Yep, it's been the most distinctive difference with Tuchel by a long way! Having a stretched midfield was Frank's persistent problem, plugging Kante in to hold the pressure helped (sacrilegious use of him as it is ) but the issue was always there.

This happy return of structure needs a proper test though

Barnsley didn't feel like enough of a test?

soccer?lol.

Didn't see that game, seemed like it was a bit of a mission from the stats though