The impressive, uplifting reign Thomas Tuchel began with his takeover continued on Tuesday night as Chelsea took a 1-1 draw back to Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.<\/p>\n
There would be few detractors, if any, who\u2019d argue Chelsea were the better side, having control over the Spanish champions for large spells and showing just how far they have come under the German tactician.<\/p>\n
Since his takeover from Lampard in January, the Blues have lost just one of their 22 matches, conceding nine goals \u2013 five of which came during that befuddling defeat at home to West Brom.<\/p>\n
Before the impressive result at Real Madrid, Tuchel refreshingly engineered tactical masterclasses against the likes of Atletico and Man City, steering the Blues towards the top four and an FA Cup final and the Blues are now an intimidating force to be reckoned with in the big games.<\/p>\n
Cascarino is of the view that the club\u2019s success clearly vindicates their decision to sack Lampard and appoint Tuchel, insisting the Blues legend wasn\u2019t quite ready for the job at a big club like Chelsea.<\/p>\n
Lampard secured Champions League football for the Blues last season and got to an FA Cup final, using a squad built around academy players due to the transfer embargo and departure of star player Eden Hazard.<\/p>\n
However in the face of mitigating circumstances, Chelsea conceded too many goals under Lampard, and their 2020\/21 campaign was at risk of falling apart befprior to his departure.<\/p>\n
Jorginho one of several experienced players reestablishing themselves as regulars under Tuchel, gave a non-complimentary assessment of Lampard\u2019s appointment last week, also suggesting Lampard wasn\u2019t ready for the job.<\/p>\n
He told ESPN Brasil:<\/p>\n
\u201cHe came to a club where he is a legend, without having experience at other clubs. I think he came too soon, skipped a few steps ahead and wasn\u2019t ready for a job at this level, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n
And speaking to talkSPORT, former Blues striker Cascarino reluctantly agreed with the Italian maestro.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefensively, they are far superior and far more tactically nous within the team,\u201d Cascarino said.<\/p>\n
Asked whether Tuchel\u2019s successes highlighted Lampard\u2019s weaknesses, he said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s putting it harsh on Frank, he might take that in a way that\u2019s uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut apart from the West Brom game, if you watch them play, you can tell there have been huge amounts of work done on the training ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not saying Frank didn\u2019t do it, but I think there\u2019s an experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you have players like Jorginho saying Frank wasn\u2019t ready for the job \u2013 I don\u2019t think he was ready for the job and I don\u2019t think Jody Morris [his assistant] was.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou cannot deny Chelsea are much tougher to play (now). Look at their goals against column, it\u2019s a massive difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"