Thomas Tuchel's emphasis on a positive squad harmony
Tuchel has absolutely loved pre-season, but he knows how fast things can turn
It’s easy when you are winning, right? To keep squad moral high and a positive atmosphere in camp? It would only really get tested if results start going against you.
I’m not worried at all that things will turn, I have a real confidence and belief in Thomas Tuchel and this squad now, especially with the addition of a world class striker.
Tuchel has instilled a belief and strong mentality in this squad, something that other managers have tried and failed to do, something that had been missing for so long.
But as I said, the tide can easily turn, and heads can easily drop. But this squad now has stronger characters; characters that have grown and matured under Tuchel, and you’d be hard pressed to see that dipping now.
Tuchel has worked hard on this, and that is because he knows how important a positive squad harmony is in order to succeed.
This is why you have seen him using most of his squad and making sure they all feel important. This is why he told every single player at the start of pre-season that they all have a clean slate and a chance to make it in his squad, and yes, even Danny Drinkwater.
This is clever man-management, and a great way to start the season with a good morale amongst a massive group of players.
Tuchel is now very aware and conscious of keeping that good harmony in the squad, and this is why he only wants to add players to his squad this summer who really improve it.
The situation with Trevoh Chalobah has given Tuchel and his staff a welcome headache. With the interest in Jules Kounde, Tuchel is still not sure what to do with Chalobah after his fine pre-season.
He doesn’t want any of his players becoming too unhappy because he knows what negativity can bring to a squad - just look at what happened under Frank Lampard for a fine example of that. Players grew frustrated because they were not getting a look in, and Lampard had some unrest on his hands.
Tuchel right now has every single player behind him, and he wants to keep as many of them as happy as he can. Of course, it’s impossible to keep them all happy, but Tuchel’s rotation and giving players chances, even like he did with Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Super Cup final by bringing him on and making him feel important, will be enough to keep many of them happy and interested.
But he knows how important it is now to trim down the squad and make sure he doesn’t have too many players to work with and try and keep happy.
Simon Phillips