Time for Tuchel to take tough decisions at Chelsea

LONDON: Thomas Tuchel’s serene start as Chelsea manager came to a crashing halt as lowly West Bromwich Albion became the first visiting side to score five goals at Stamford Bridge in 10 years on Saturday.

Thiago Silva’s early red card played a large part in a shocking 5-2 defeat that ended Tuchel’s 14match unbeaten run since replacing the sacked Frank Lampard in January.

The German coach now has to show he can deal with his first taste of adversity with the west London club.

“It’s a wake-up call. We will get the right response,” said Tuchel.

“It’s important we digest it. I did not see it coming, now we have to take our responsibilities — me included — and shake it off.

“We can’t, after 15 or 14 matches, lose our head. We can’t take away the trust that we have in these players.”

His call for calm fell on deaf ears among some of his squad with reports of a training ground clash on Sunday between Antonio Rudiger and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

A swift response is needed in today’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Porto in the first of two clashes between the sides in Seville due to coronavirus restrictions on travel between Portugal and England.

Tuchel has made the most of Chelsea’s strength in depth to consistently rotate, particularly in attacking areas.

But a lack of goals has been a persistent problem, with the Blues scoring just 13 times in their last 11 Premier League games.

The time has come for Tuchel to make some big decisions if he is to go one better than last season when he guided Paris SaintGermain to the Champions League final.

Not for the first time in his Chelsea career, Olivier Giroud may be brought in from the cold by a manager in need.

Giroud’s overhead kick was the difference in the first leg of Chelsea’s last 16 tie against Atletico Madrid, but the Frenchman has not played a minute of Premier League or Champions League action since February.