Tuchel faces rebuild job after a day of farewells

AT THE end of a long season which has given and taken so much, a day for greetings and goodbyes at Stamford Bridge. Some football, too. First the farewells, which began with 24 minutes left as Chelsea fans saluted Real Madrid-bound Antonio Rudiger. He didn’t need to shut the door on his way out. Watford manager Roy Hodgson and referee Mike Dean followed after nearly 1500 games between them — Dean departed with a kiss blown towards someone in the crowd. Of course he did. Cesar Azpilicueta could be next. Who can guess when the departures might end for Chelsea? ‘It’s a bit strange,’ said manager Thomas Tuchel. ‘We will have a dinner together later and you don’t really know what’s going to happen — if we’re able to sell, do we want to sell?’ The old era is giving way to a new one, but not everyone could say ta-ra. Andreas Christensen kept a low profile on Chelsea’s lap of appreciation. Roman Abramovich is, well, otherwise engaged. Instead, incoming owner Todd Boehly welcomed the players back to the pitch. After 19 major trophies in 19 years under Abramovich, this was a start. Following 63 games, sanctions, and two trophies, Chelsea signed off with a win in front of Boehly, and three points at home. Neither has come easily of late. ‘It’s a mood-changer,’ said Tuchel. Ross Barkley won it late on, for those interested. A few minutes earlier, Chelsea fans had not seemed too bothered when Dan Gosling cancelled out Kai Havertz’s opener — they were too busy celebrating goals at the Etihad. Tuchel and Co have earned a break. ‘Impossible. I cannot go on holiday,’ said the German. ‘It will feel more like a new era when the new season kicks in.’ After Watford’s miserable campaign, another rebirth beckons under new manager Rob Edwards — an interested observer here. Hodgson, 74, suggested he would not be tempted back again ‘when someone asks me to perform another rabbit-outthe-hat trick’. Only £100million a year might turn his head, he joked. Earlier, Havertz had converted a cross from Kenedy — making his first Premier League start for Chelsea since May 2017 — before Gosling headed home as Stamford Bridge taunted Steven Gerrard. Then Barkley provided a winner of Chelsea’s own to celebrate.

CHELSEA (3-4-3): Mendy 7; Azpilicueta 6.5, Silva 7, Rudiger 6.5 (Barkley 66min, 7.5); JAMES 8, Saul 6.5, Kante 6.5, Kenedy 7 (Sarr 59, 6); Ziyech 6.5, Mount 7 (Chilwell 89), Havertz 7.5. Scorers: Havertz 11, Barkley 90. Manager: Thomas Tuchel 7. WATFORD (4-3-3): Bachmann 6.5; Femenia 6.5, Kabasele 6, Samir 6.5, Kamara 6.5 (Masina 78); Sissoko 6.5, Kayembe 7 (Gosling 82), Cleverley 6; King 5 (Hernandez 72, 6.5), Joao Pedro 6.5, Sema 5. Scorer: Gosling 87. Manager: Roy Hodgson 6.5. Referee: Mike Dean 6.5. Attendance: 32,089.