Man Utd visit the Bridge this weekend, with a question mark hanging over Thomas Tuchel’s man-management style after his curious treatment of Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Tuchel’s a no-nonsense gaffer, and is getting results, but to publicly criticise his midfielder for not trying leaves a nasty taste.
Frustratingly, Chelsea drew 1-1 with Southampton at the weekend after the second-half sub was himself subbed.
Asked to explain, Tuchel was cringingly honest. Other managers would have lied about a slight tweak, but not our Thomas. “I didn’t feel he was really into the game,” he said bluntly.
It may take time to rebuild that relationship, especially after telling the player to “swallow it”.
It would be a shame if Hudson-Odoi eventually decides he’s had enough and leaves the club. There are times when a manager needs to back down. This is one.
After the distraction of playing Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on neutral turf in Romania (coincidentally the same opponents Chelsea Women are about to face in their version of the competition), it feels good to get back to the nitty-gritty of this fascinating season.
News that fans could be back by May is encouraging, but if Tuchel has many more public run-ins with his squad he’ll get a mixed reaction from supporters.
The hope is that Petr Cech, who now acts as a powerful senior backroom link at Chelsea, may have a quiet, but firm, chat with the German to explain how restraint often pays dividends.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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