HEAT AT CHELSEA’s CAMP AFTER SOME PLAYERS REFUSED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THOMAS TUCHEL FOLLOWING HIS DISMISSAL
Tuchel arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2021 to replace Frank Lampard and hit the ground running by winning the Champions League in six months.
Last season Chelsea reached the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals, only to lose to Liverpool on both occasions. They also finished third in the Premier League.
The sacking of the former Chelsea boss has shocked many people and most Chelsea fans because it was unexpected. Management of the team has employed the services of Graham Potter as the new manager for the team. Chelsea squad appear split over Thomas Tuchel’s shock exit with plenty of the players taking to social media to pay tribute – but some are still yet to post about the German more than 24 hours after his sacking.
Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling were some of the first Chelsea players to pay tribute after new owner Todd Boehly dismissed Tuchel just seven games into the season, and 100 days into his reign since replacing Roman Abramovich.
Chelsea is sixth in the Premier League and have made a miserable start to their Champions League campaign, with Tuchel disposed hours after their humbling 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb, his 100th match in charge.
Goalkeeping duo Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy were among the others to thank Tuchel, who guided Chelsea to the 2021 Champions League title.
Mendy posted multiple pictures with the German on his Instagram story with one of them saying: ‘Thank you for everything Mister.’
Fellow goalkeeper Kepa also posted on his story: ‘Thank you for all the moments together. All the best,’ he said.
Defenders Ben Chilwell, Trevor Chalobah, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Kalidou Koulibaly also showed their respect to Tuchel.
Left-back Chilwell posted: ‘Thank you for the amazing memories coach.’
Youngster Chalobah, who broke into the Chelsea first-team under Tuchel, said: ‘Thanks coach.’
Captain Azpilicueta also joined in by posting: ‘Thank you for everything, Mister. Wishing you all the best.’
Koulibaly, a £34m summer signing from Napoli, said: ‘Thank you maestro.’
Mason Mount, Jorginho, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Mateo Kovacic were the other squad members that took to social media.
England international Mount posted a picture with former boss Tuchel hugging him on the sidelines: ‘Thank you for everything, Gaffer,’ he wrote.
Italian midfielder Jorginho opted for a hug and a picture of two shaking hands with a caption of: ‘Thank you for everything.’
Kovacic also posted a picture of himself being hugged by Tuchel, with a caption saying: ‘It was a pleasure to learn and work with you and your staff. Thank you, Boss.’
Loftus-Cheek went for a series of pictures on his story with one saying: ‘Thank you for everything, coach. Wishing you all the best.’
German forward Kai Havertz was slightly late joining in, but posted a picture on the Champions League winner’s parade with Tuchel this morning, saying: ‘Thank you.’
There have been suggestions that Tuchel’s relationships with players amongst his squad had deteriorated, a theory highlighted by the fact that 11 of the squad have stayed silent 24 hours after his departure.
Those players include out of favour stars Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Armando Broja and Conor Gallagher, who have struggled to gain regular minutes or find a way into the team so far this season.
A handful of the club’s new summer signings have also remained silent, which is probably unsurprising considering the lack of time they’ve played under the former Borussia Dortmund manager.
Experienced defender Thiago Silva did not post himself, but his wife Isabelle Silva bizarrely posted on Twitter, saying: ‘Thank you so much Thomas Tuchel for years of partnership. You’re a giant. Good luck in everything you do… always.’
Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, midfielder N’Golo Kante and new signings Marc Cucurella, Denis Zakaria, Carney Chukwuemeka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have all also not posted anything on Tuchel’s departure.
It is, however, worth baring in mind some of those stars do not necessarily use social media very often, including Ziyech and Kante, while Aubameyang was delighted to be reuniting with his former Dortmund boss when he agreed his move from Barcelona on transfer deadline day.
