It took just seven matches to confirm that while there may be new owners at Chelsea, the ruthless drive for success continues.
Thomas Tuchel this week became the latest in a long list of managers to get the chop at Stamford Bridge - just months into the Todd Boehly era at the club. The German was sacked after an inconsistent start to the new season with Graham Potter swiftly drafted in to replace him.
And Boehly has come in for some heavy criticism for his decision to sack Tuchel, while Boehly’s talks with other managerial candidates have also now emerged. With domestic fixtures postponed, Chelsea will have to wait to see Potter’s side in action. In the meantime, Mirror Football brings you the very latest headlines from around the club.
Boehly blasted
It’s fair to say that Chelsea’s decision to sack Thomas Tuchel divided opinion, with many believing the coach who guided them to the Champions League in 2020 deserved more time. Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel is certainly in that camp and hit out at Bohely for what he described as an “investor’s decision” made by someone with “no idea about football”.
"The sacking is grist to the mill of those who are against investors in football. It was purely an investor's decision," Heidel told German outlet BILD of Tuchel's axing. "Someone who has no idea about football probably thought that sixth place wasn't good enough for him.”
Potter alternatives emerge
It took less than 36 hours for the Chelsea hierarchy to replace Tuchel, with Brighton boss Graham Potter handed a five-year deal on Thursday. But it has now been suggested he was one of three coaches to be spoken to in what was a whirlwind recruitment process.
According to reports in Portugal, Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim was contacted by Chelsea in the days leading up to Tuchel's departure. Amorim is extremely highly-rated but made it clear he is happy at the Portuguese giants.
Mauricio Pochettino was another high-calibre candidate who was reportedly sounded out by Boehly. The Argentine coach has been out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer and is believed to be waiting for the right opportunity to return to football.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY…
Merson rows back on top-four prediction
Few would argue that the opening month of the season has opened the eyes as to where Chelsea rank in the wider Premier League picture. Even before the action got underway, there were concerns over several areas in the squad - concerns which were only amplified under Tuchel.
And Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has clearly seen enough to now predict the Blues will miss out on the top four next May. Speaking before the season, he said: “ Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea pick themselves as the top three in whatever order and I’d be shocked if anything else were to happen.”
But he now believes the Champions League places will consist of “Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in whatever order.”
