THOMAS TUCHEL’S Chelsea reign is set to be good news for five players who flopped under Frank Lampard.
The German is set to be confirmed as the new Blues boss ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Wolves.
Five Chelsea players could be set for a reprieve under Thomas TuchelCredit: Alamy Live News
And Tuchel’s Chelsea XI could look very different to the one Lampard regularly sent out.
Reports claim there could be a switch in formation, and some stars are sure to come out from the cold while others may find themselves regularly warming the bench.
Here, SunSport looks at five Chelsea players who are set for a new lease of life under ex-Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund gaffer Tuchel.
Antonio Rudiger looks set to partner Thiago Silva in defenceCredit: Rex Features
ANTONIO RUDIGER
The German defender started the season as Lampard’s fifth-choice centre-back, and he was also a target for compatriot Tuchel at PSG.
Rudiger was restored to the line-up in recent weeks by Lampard before Monday’s sacking.
And the ex-Roma man looks set to continue in place of Kurt Zouma alongside Thiago Silva.
A switch to a three-man defence would more than likely seal Rudiger’s place in the XI for the rest of the season.
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Jorginho could come into midfield as the deep playmakerCredit: EPA
JORGINHO
Another former target for Tuchel at PSG.
The Italian is Chelsea vice-captain and, like Rudiger, is an experienced head.
Tuchel likes to deploy a deep playmaker in his side, using Marco Verratti for that role in the French capital.
And Jorginho could find himself playing a similar role to the one he had under Maurizio Sarri.
Marcos Alonso has not featured for Chelsea since SeptemberCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
MARCOS ALONSO
Cast out after the 3-3 draw with West Brom in September, Alonso is yet to feature since.
He is one of the most senior players at the club, having arrived in Antonio Conte’s first season.
Alonso won the Premier League under the Italian and went on to also lift an FA Cup and Europa League.
In a back three, he is perfectly suited to the left wing-back role.
And Tuchel may prefer him to Ben Chilwell as he looks for a solid start at Stamford Bridge.
Timo Werner has struggled to impress since his summer moveCredit: PA:Press Association
TIMO WERNER
Chelsea’s misfiring striker has been a shadow of the player that lit up RB Leipzig last term.
Werner has produced some awful performances this term, missing simple chances and looking totally shot of confidence.
His missed penalty against Luton is reported to have been the final nail in the coffin for Lampard.
But having a fellow German in charge could be the spark to ignite Chelsea’s latest forward.
Tuchel will know all about Werner from his time in the Bundesliga and will surely play him through the middle ahead of Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud.
Kai Havertz is yet to find his feet at Stamford BridgeCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
KAI HAVERTZ
Like Werner, another expensive German yet to shine in London.
Havertz has been even more disappointing than Werner, having failed to produce one solid display against Premier league opposition.
But Tuchel will be well aware of Havertz’s best qualities.
And he may be ready to change shape in order to get the ace closer to the penalty area, which is where he thrives.
Five key failings that cost Frank Lampard his Chelsea job
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
