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Thomas Tuchel takes over as Chelsea manager

Thomas Tuchel has succeeded Frank Lampard at Chelsea.

The German tactician signed an initial 18-month contract to become the Blues’ new manager on Tuesday. Tuchel is tasked with reviving a Premier League title challenge that is in poor shape following a run of five defeats in eight matches.

Chelsea are positioned ninth in England’s top flight after spending over £200 million on transfers last summer. Lampard was sacked Monday having won only 49% of his Premier League matches over his 18-month spell, the worst rate for a manager during Roman Abramovich’s 18 seasons as Chelsea owner.

Tuchel has been out of work since Paris Saint-Germain dismissed him in December. Last season, he led the club to the Champions League final and won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Coupe de la Ligue. He also collected a Ligue 1 title in the 2018-19 campaign.

The 47-year-old was in charge of Borussia Dortmund before his PSG stint, where he enjoyed DFB-Pokal success in the 2016-17 term. He was widely credited for his thorough tactics and improving a number of young players.

“We all have the greatest respect for Frank Lampard’s work and the legacy he created at Chelsea,” Tuchel said. “At the same time, I cannot wait to meet my new team and compete in the most exciting league in football. I am grateful to now be part of the Chelsea family – it feels amazing!”

Tuchel worked with Chelsea stars Christian Pulisic and Thiago Silva at Dortmund and PSG, respectively.

The new boss will begin his Chelsea tenure with a visit from Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.

Soccer

Chelsea fire Lampard, will reportedly hire Tuchel as replacement

Chelsea fired manager Frank Lampard on Monday amid a poor run of form that has seen the club drop to ninth in the Premier League table.

The Blues are finalizing a deal to appoint former Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel as Lampard’s replacement, a source told James Olley of ESPN.

“This was a very difficult decision for the club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him,” owner Roman Abramovich said. “He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics.

“He is an important icon of this great club and his status here remains undiminished. He will always be warmly welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”

Lampard, who starred in Chelsea’s midfield before being appointed manager in July 2019, leaves with one-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.

The club won just 49% of its Premier League matches with him in charge.

Chelsea spent more than £200 million last summer to improve the squad, making a big splash in the market after serving a transfer embargo in 2019.

The west London side offered early evidence of a potential title challenge, going 14 matches unbeaten in all competitions. But Chelsea’s form unraveled in December. Losses to Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Arsenal compelled Lampard to criticize his players for an apparent lack of effort.

He took another shot at his team after the defeat to Leicester at the King Power Stadium.

“The bare minimums are to run, to sprint, to cover ground, and too many of our players didn’t do it,” he said.

Timo Werner, one of Chelsea’s marquee summer signings, endured a particularly troubling spell under Lampard’s supervision. The German striker last scored in the Premier League on Nov. 4, recording a brace in a 4-1 win over Sheffield United.

The form of Kai Havertz, Chelsea’s club-record signing, has raised similar concerns. The 21-year-old failed to settle into Lampard’s 4-3-3 formation while struggling at multiple positions, and he suffered from the effects of COVID-19.

Tuchel, whom PSG fired in December, was reportedly planning to wait until the end of the season before deciding on his next move. But after discussions with Chelsea’s brass and former PSG captain Thiago Silva – who’s now at Stamford Bridge – the German bench boss was convinced to take over the struggling English side, according to Olley.

Soccer

Manchester City star De Bruyne ruled out for 4-6 weeks

Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne will be sidelined for up to six weeks due to an injury he picked up against Aston Villa on Wednesday, manager Pep Guardiola announced Friday.

“The doctor had to review the scan this morning, and he will be out between four and six weeks,” Guardiola said.

“It is a big blow. But we have to move forward. I am not saying that nobody doesn’t know about how important he is.

“Unfortunately for him and for us, he will be out for an important part of the season, and we have to find a solution because everyone is struggling in this situation, and we have to adapt.”

De Bruyne was forced to leave in the second half of City’s 2-0 win over Villa after picking up a hamstring injury, according to BBC Sport.

The injury forces De Bruyne to miss crucial matches against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and could prevent the Belgian from featuring in City’s Champions League clash against Borussia Monchengladbach on Feb. 24.

City sit second in the Premier League, two points behind rival Manchester United with a game in hand.

News of De Bruyne’s injury comes a day after forward Sergio Aguero announced he tested positive for COVID-19. The Argentine star is expected to miss more than a week while self-isolating.

Soccer

PSG star Mbappe considering signing new long-term contract

Kylian Mbappe admitted Friday he’s still weighing whether he should re-sign with Paris Saint-Germain or explore his options elsewhere.

Mbappe, who’s out of contract at the end of next season, has long been linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid.

“We are in discussions with the club to try to find a suitable project,” Mbappe told TV channel Telefoot, as reported by Agence France-Presse. “I said I was thinking about it because I think that … if I sign, it would have to be a long-term commitment to Paris Saint-Germain.”

Despite ongoing speculation over his future, Mbappe ended a four-match scoring drought with a pair of goals in Friday’s 4-0 win over Montpellier.

“I am very happy here. I have always been very happy,” he added. “The supporters and the club have always helped me and for that alone I will always be grateful.

“But I want to think about what I want to do in the coming years, where I want to be. That’s what I am reflecting on.”

In December, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said he was “very confident” Mbappe and Neymar would agree to stay in the French capital. Neymar’s deal also expires after the 2021-22 campaign.

Mbappe joined PSG from AS Monaco in September 2017 for a reported €180 million.

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