“I think I am under contract until 2024. Let’s stay with this, and let’s try to stay as long as this contract says because history tells us it is not that easy,” the words of Thomas Tuchel back in January after reflecting on 12 months in the Chelsea dugout.
Almost four-and-a-half months since those comments from Tuchel, plenty has changed at Chelsea Football Club.
Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale just days before the UK Government decided to sanction the Russian billionaire – leaving the future of the Blues up in the air.
Chelsea have won just two of their last six Premier League matches while losing three times and drawing once.
The poor run of results means Tuchel’s team have been dragged back into a fight to cement a place in this season’s top four.
The Blues are still firm favourites to qualify for next season’s Champions League, as they are three points above fourth-placed Arsenal and five ahead of Tottenham in fifth.
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“I said it many weeks ago that I didn’t ever feel safe,” Tuchel said on the top-four race after seeing his side lose 1-0 to Everton last weekend.
“We are never safe. By the way, if we are in a race for top one, top two, or top four, no matter what the race, the last four games to only have four points will never be enough, no matter which race we are in.”
Chelsea’s disappointing performances and results towards the end of the season have led to Tuchel being criticised by some fans on social media.
Whenever they complete the big-money takeover of the west London club, the new owners of Chelsea need to do something that has not been apparent at Stamford Bridge since Abramovich took charge in 2003.
That’s why Chelsea, more than ever, needs to look elsewhere in the Premier League to copy other clubs‘ examples when it comes to their managers.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal right now is topical, with the Spaniard agreeing to a new contract with the north London club until 2025.
Arteta took over the Gunners in 2019 and has come under fire plenty of times during his two-and-a-half-year spell at the Emirates Stadium.
There have been a couple of instances where Arsenal have been on a poor run of form, and supporters have been calling for Arteta to be sacked by the club.
Arsenal have stuck with their former midfielder, and the risk has paid off.
The Gunners are now in pole position to land the final Champions League spot this season, with Arteta’s way of playing finally rubbing off on his squad. Chelsea doesn’t have to look too far away from their doorstep when needing an example of how to treat the manager.
Granted, the Blues are in a poor run of form right now, but the new owners need to stick by Tuchel – who has been exceptional on and off the pitch in his short tenure as Chelsea head coach so far.