Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen has revealed how Thomas Tuchel changed Frank Lampard’s defensive approach in his first few games in charge of the west London club.
The Blues are already settling comfortably in Tuchel’s 3-4-3 formation as they have only been breached just once in the German’s last six outings with Chelsea.
The 47-year-old tactician in his quest to discover his first team, tried out an entire Blues squad; giving each player an opportunity to make his starting lineup.
Christensen, who has featured in Chelsea’s last four games after coming on for injured Thiago Silva against Spurs, told the club’s official website: “If you don’t need to play the ball, you don’t have to. Wait for someone to come and take the ball, don’t take last-second decisions, know what you’re going to do and make it happen.
“He just said to us to be comfortable and believe in ourselves. I have played in the middle of the three before and I’m quite comfortable there. At the moment, when we are playing good football and getting wins, it is helping us so we don’t have to do too much to change it.”
Tuchel first game in charge ended in a goalless draw at home to Wolves. That stalemate was followed by Premier League victories over Burnley and Tottenham, allowing the Blues to start climbing the table.
The only time they have conceded under the German was to Sheffield United, no thanks to Antonio Rudiger’s own goal.
Kepa Arrizabalaga kept a welcome clean sheet against Newcastle after enduring an error-strewn start to the season that led to him being replaced by Edouard Mendy.
Christensen added on the Spanish shot-stopper, who has been told that he remains a back-up option at the Bridge: “I think he made a couple of good saves. That can be important for his self-esteem and also for the group. It was nice to see him out there. We felt comfortable, even though we needed him two times in the second half.”
