How Thomas Tuchel's first 10 games as Chelsea manager compare to Frank Lampard's

Thomas Tuchel's reign as Chelsea manager has hit the ten-game mark, and it's pretty fair to say the German tactician has had quite an impact since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are unbeaten since the former Paris Saint-Germain boss took charge of the club, with crucial wins against Tottenham and Liverpool boosting their bid for a top-four finish.

The banner dedicated to Lampard was still present for Tuchel's opening game | Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images

Arguably the best result of Tuchel's tenure so far has been the superb 1-0 'away' win over Ateltico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, but just how do the Chelsea boss' first ten games in charge compare to former manager Frank Lampard's?

We've picked out a number of key categories in our bid to analyse the pair's respective starts to their Chelsea managerial careers.


Numbers of players used

Lampard left Chelsea following a poor run of results | Pool/Getty Images

Tuchel's first ten games in charge have seen 24 different players afforded game time across the various competitions the club are still involved in, with the FA Cup win over Barnsley used in particular to offer minutes to those on the fringes of first team action.

Lampard also utilised the domestic cups to offer squad players a chance to showcase their talents, and he edges this category having fielded 26 different players in his opening ten games in charge.


Minutes afforded to academy graduates

There's barely anything in it when it comes to the game time given to players who've come through the Blues' youth system.

Of the ten academy graduates Lampard used in his opening ten games in charge, they racked up 2880 minutes worth of football.

Mason Mount and Reece James have both come through the Chelsea academy | Pool/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Tuchel has used less players from the club's youth setup (seven) but has shown more faith in them, and they've been handed 2658 of game time - there really is barely anything in it.

On paper it's a marginal win for Lampard, though, when you consider how much he was lauded for giving youth a chance following their transfer ban, maybe it should be looked at as a win for Tuchel considering the club are no longer under the embargo.


Cost of players used

Kai Havertz was a big-money signing for the club last summer | Stefan Constantin/MB Media/Getty Images

With Mateo Kovacic's loan move to Chelsea made permanent in the summer of 2019, Lampard called upon the services of £443m worth of talent in his first ten games in charge of the Blues.

Of the players used by Tuchel in his Chelsea reign so far, he's utilised £579m worth of purchases, with summer signings Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz in particular helping push that figure over the half billion mark.

While the players Tuchel has fielded cost more than those used by Lampard, it seems unfair to class that as a plus in the former manager's column - after all, the big-money signings Lampard brought in last summer have hardly set the Premier League alight so far.


System changes

Lampard began life as Chelsea boss by sticking to an orthodox back four, though a trip to Molineux in his sixth competitive game at the helm saw him bring in Marcos Alonso as he reverted to 3-4-3.

The Blues ran riot against Wolves, with Tammy Abraham notching a hat-trick in a 5-2 win, but following a 1-0 defeat to Valencia the following game in which Lampard used the same wing-back formation, he bottled it.

The Blues went back to a flat back four after the Champions League defeat, potentially showcasing Lampard's inexperience as a manager as he instantly reverted to type following one poor performance.

Tuchel has already delivered a number of tactical masterclasses | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Tuchel has done nothing of the sort. Granted he's yet to experience defeat, but the Chelsea boss has explored a whole host of different formations, and his side's wins over Tottenham and Liverpool in particular were masterclasses in his ability to pick out a system which bests suits Chelsea against a particular opponent - whether it be utilising their pace in behind a high line or attacking weaker full-backs.

Even when Chelsea have performed brilliantly, the former PSG boss has shown he isn't afraid to completely mix it up in terms of shape and personnel the following game, and his managerial nous is undoubtedly a step ahead of Lampard's at this point in their respective careers.


Results

Alright, we can mess about with stats and figures all we like, but all you're really bothered about is whose first ten games gleaned more wins.

Lampard suffered a number of poor results early on in his tenure | Pool/Getty Images

Lampard picked up four victories, three draws and three defeats in his first few months at the club, with Chelsea sitting seventh in the Premier League. They also advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but had been beaten on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup final by Liverpool.

Tuchel's brilliant start to life as Chelsea boss has seen him pick up seven wins and three draws, including the aforementioned superb away wins (if you can call Atletico Madrid playing in Budapest an away game) against Atleti, Spurs and Liverpool.

The Blues now sit fourth in the table and have also safely advanced through to the FA Cup quarter-final.

Pretty obvious who wins this round.


Strength of opponents

Lampard's four wins in his first ten games came against Grimsby, Wolves, Brighton and newly-promoted Norwich - not exactly stellar opposition.

The defeats came at the hands of Liverpool, Manchester United and a Valencia side who endured a distinctly average campaign, while they drew with Liverpool (in the UEFA Super Cup before being beaten on penalties), Leicester and newly-promoted Sheffield United.

Tuchel has picked up some great wins in his opening ten games | Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images

Tuchel's seven wins have come against Liverpool, Spurs, Atleti, Burnley, Newcastle, Sheffield United and Barnsley, while he's taken a point from respective clashes with Southampton, Wolves and Manchester United.

Again, a win for Mr Tuchel.


Conclusion

Roman Abramovich was right to sack Frank Lampard | BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

In summary: Tuchel has a more impressive record in his first ten games, he's faced tougher opposition, he's displayed better tactical nous, he's afforded nearly just as much game time to youngsters as Lampard - who was apparently desperate to give youth a chance - and he's only got a more expensive squad than Lampard at his disposal because of the spending spree the former Chelsea boss decided to embark on.

You can see where we're going with this one - correct call Mr Abramovich.



Source : 90min