Since taking over on the 26 January Thomas Tuchel has steadied the ship at Stamford Bridge. Following a spate of uncertain and worsening form under former manager Frank Lampard, Tuchel has restored a sense of ease and has failed to lose a match since taking over.
Chelsea have successfully navigated the likes of top four hopefuls Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and reigning champions Liverpool, taking full points from the latter two in their bid to ensure top flight European football returns to the Bridge next season.
A successful season for Tuchel will likely be a minimum ask of a top four place finish in the Premier League, but can he go one better and deliver silverware? Some of the best betting sites for football have slashed their odds on Chelsea’s chances of a cup run. Let’s find out why.
Unbeaten streak reaching double figures
Contrasting Lampard’s reign with that of Tuchel can be summed up easily by looking at how many goals the side have conceded on both sides of the divide. Since Tuchel has taken over the Blues have recorded seven clean sheets in the league and one in Europe away to Atlético Madrid which is no mean feat.
In the same amount of corresponding games dating back to early December, Lampard’s side shipped a total of 12 goals, amounting to five losses. It’s easy to see where Tuchel has tightened up.
One foot in the quarter finals
Chelsea are still fighting on three fronts, in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League which is not a bad position to be in considering the managerial switches that have been made. The Blues put on an impressive display away to an Atlético Madrid side that is currently leading the line in La Liga.
The pressure is on Diego Simeone’s side to deliver at Stamford Bridge with a solitary away goal separating the sides courtesy of Olivier Giroud’s acrobatic efforts in their makeshift tie in Bucharest.
Given the recent adjustments to Chelsea’s defensive line and a positive run of performances at home, it will be an uphill battle for the Spaniards. Most online bookmakers have Chelsea among the top five favourites at around 15.0 to win this year’s Champions League. It’s a big ask but Tuchel’s tactical capabilities could be the decisive factor to push Chelsea closer to club football’s biggest prize.
Domestic silverware still on the cards
Odds on Chelsea to take home the FA Cup for the third time in a decade are considerably lower. Domestic form has been positive and the cast of elite names in comparison to the Champions League is considerably less star studded.
Many of Chelsea’s squad will be looking to go one better than they did last year after missing out at the last hurdle to Mikael Arteta’s rejuvenated Arsenal side. Some are even veterans of the 2018 season and will relish a chance to hold the trophy aloft once more.
The likes of seemingly champions elect Manchester City, as well as Manchester United are still in contention for the cup, but Chelsea must first see off a stubborn Sheffield United side with everything left to play for in a bid to book a place in the semi finals.
Securing top four looking safer
If current form can continue in the same fashion, Chelsea’s trajectory is looking considerably rosier than it did at the turn of the New Year. Positive results against leading sides and top four hopefuls alike have already been chalked up on the board. A sustained run in the league could certainly free up space for a considerable cup run, and potentially leave Tuchel with silverware come the end of his inaugural season. Unthinkable? Hardly not.