Thomas Tuchel reserved special praise for Karim Benzema ahead of tonight’s Champions League quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid.
The France striker is precisely the player Chelsea have lacked during his 15 months in charge at Stamford Bridge. He is the ultimate No9 — outlasting even Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu — and the most immediate threat to Tuchel’s hopes of retaining his European crown.
That type of leading man has been a staple of Chelsea’s best teams — in the form of Didier Drogba and Diego Costa — yet a position they have so often struggled to fill.
Club-record signing Romelu Lukaku was supposed to be their latest spearhead, but his failure to live up to his price tag or expectation is underlined by the fact that nowadays an eyebrow is barely raised when he is omitted from yet another starting XI.
Tuchel was well aware of the Belgian’s limitations when backing the move for him last summer, but even he has been surprised by his inability to fit into Chelsea’s system.
Tuchel almost sounded wistful when lauding Benzema, who, at 34, is producing some of the finest football of his career: scoring 39 goals for club and country already this term.
Asked which Real player he would most like in his team, Tuchel said: “Instead of being boring and refusing to give one particular name, I give all of the praise to Karim Benzema. Two years ago, I think he was one of the most under-rated players in world football, and maybe not any more.
“He absolutely deserves everything that has happened to him, he has been how many years as the No9 for Real Madrid? And that speaks for itself.
“And how he carries responsibility in the last stage for them. What a key part he plays for them as a captain now, it’s very impressive. He’s for sure a stand-out player and personality.”
While Tuchel may dream of Benzema, the question still remains: what centre-forward would thrive under him, with Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud previously suffering similar fates to Lukaku?
Abraham’s chances of making last summer’s Euros were killed off by Tuchel’s under-use of him, while he has been revitalised since leaving for Roma, scoring 23 goals this season.
Chelsea’s manager has been asked about his ideal centre-forward in the past. He is a huge admirer of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland — and previously Sergio Aguero.
Yet it is notable that Kai Havertz has looked most effective under him at Chelsea, scoring the winning goals in both last season’s Champions League Final and Club World Cup in February.
The Germany international was regarded as a false No9 when first deployed through the middle by Tuchel, but that has developed into a more orthodox interpretation of the role. In a team that lacks a No10, Havertz’s ability to drop deep or drift wide to link play or create space gives Chelsea more fluidity to their attacks when compared to the less mobile Lukaku.
His finishing is still not as decisive as would be expected from the main goal threat, but he has made a habit of scoring important goals. His tendency to waste chances was showcased in the 4-1 defeat to Brentford on Saturday, as he twice failed to hit the target with just the goalkeeper to beat, but Tuchel launched a fierce defence of him afterwards in a resounding show of faith.
Tuchel has spoken previously about what a Chelsea centre-forward looks like in his mind’s eye, name-checking Drogba and Costa, their title-winning strikers; powerful figures in terms of physique and character. He was convinced Lukaku would fit that profile, yet it is Havertz to whom he has turned to in his time of need.
Chelsea under Tuchel have looked at their best with Havertz at the point of their attack. And with the Premier League title gone and the Champions League and FA the last pieces of silverware open to them, Tuchel has gone back to what has worked for him in this country.
It may be a case of Plan B, but given the succession of Chelsea players to fail with the No9 on their back, perhaps Tuchel is unwittingly ushering in a new identity for the club.
Havertz does not fit the profile of a Drogba or Costa, but he has already secured legendary status among fans because of that winning goal in Porto last May. If Chelsea are to successfully defend their trophy, Havertz is likely to be key again.
