‘EVERYBODY’S HAPPY’

EXCLUSIVE BY ALEX WOOD

CHELSEA’S biggest strength this season is Thomas Tuchel’s man-management skill, says John Terry.

Tuchel has won plaudits for an exciting brand of attacking football and resolute back line.

He’s also spent with clear purpose, having swooped for Romelu Lukaku and Saul Niguez in the summer.

Chelsea legend Terry (left) who made over 700 appearances for the club, reckons the Blues chief is the perfect man to lead the Londoners to a sixth Premier League title.

“I think they’ve got the best squad in the league,” Terry said.

“The strength and depth is incredible.

“I’ve played where you have a squad of 25 players that are all good enough to play week in, week out – so when you’re NOT playing, it can be frustrating. So I love how Thomas has got them all happy, they’re all getting enough game time. They’re all getting minutes.

“I love to see that and I hope it continues, because that could be the key to it, keeping everyone happy.”

Tuchel was drafted in last January after Frank Lampard got the boot. The 48-year-old German had a proven pedigree after leading PSG to two Ligue 1 titles and the 2020 Champions League final. And he guided Chelsea to European glory with a 1–0 win over Manchester City in May.

Terry is close friends with Lampard from their playing days with Chelsea and England, but admits Tuchel has taken the Stamford Bridge outfit to another level.

“Thomas has been superb and deserves an awful lot of credit,” Terry added. “I love his demeanour, I love what he’s done defensively with the team, and I love how he’s keeping everyone together.

“From the inside, when I speak to people, it seems like he keeps things very simple.

“He demands a lot from the players and he expects standards to be set daily – and he’s getting that all round.”

■■Terry was speaking to beIN SPORTS, global sports