CHELSEA players must “look at themselves” after shining for Thomas Tuchel but not Frank Lampard, says former Blues defender Glen Johnson.
Tuchel is unbeaten in 11 games since succeeding axed Lampard on January 26, taking Chelsea from ninth to fourth.
Thomas Tuchel is enjoying an extended honeymoon period as Chelsea boss with midfielder Jorginho and CoCredit: AP:Associated Press
Frank Lampard saw Chelsea fall away to ninth in the Premier League at the end of his 18-month reign in January after a promising first seasonCredit: Reuters
The newly-solid Blues have also kept nine clean sheets – conceding just two goals – since the ex-PSG manager’s arrival.
And rejuvenated defenders Marcos Alonso and Andreas Christensen again stood out in Monday’s 2-0 home win over Everton.
But Lampard’s ex-club and country team-mate Johnson, 36, questioned why such a star-studded squad spluttered so badly towards the end of his 18-month reign.
Johnson told CheltenhamGuides.com: “When Tuchel first came in, Chelsea were beating teams that they should have been beating.
“But now they’ve shown they can beat Tottenham, Everton and got a good result against Manchester United.
“I think that Lampard could have done a similar job, it’s just a shame and a problem for the players.
“How can they perform like this for the new manager but they couldn’t for Lampard?
“So the players have to look at themselves. But that said, right now the appointment looks good because they’re absolutely flying.”
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Johnson also claims West Ham’s England ace Declan Rice would have to limit his playing style if he joined Chelsea.
Hammers boss David Moyes claims the 22-year-old is worth “far, far more” than £100million.
And Rice himself says he is studying videos of all-time greats like Patrick Vieira and Yaya Toure in the hope of becoming a box-to-box all-rounder.
But Johnson said: “I think he’s a great player but is better as a holding midfielder.
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“At West Ham he’s a holding midfielder but does a lot more, but at Chelsea, he wouldn’t be asked to do more.
“Declan Rice has a problem because you have to be exceptionally good to be a holding midfielder that a big clubs pays £80m/£90m for.
“He will want to play for the biggest club he possibly can, but to do that he will have to narrow down his position and be the best at it instead of being a decent centre-back, a decent holding midfielder and a decent midfielder.”
Glen Johhnson was team-mates of Chelsea legends Frank Lampard and John TerryCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Christian Pulisic looking at Chelsea transfer exit this summer unless he gets more game time amid Man Utd interest
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
