Thomas Tuchel may have to reconsider Chelsea FC title stance after near-perfect week

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There were statements all over the pitch as Chelsea kicked off their Premier League title challenge with a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace.

Thomas Tuchel insisted the exertions of the Super Cup win in midweek could not be used as an excuse for anything other than a flying start to the campaign; his players responded with an utterly dominant performance against and insipid and ultimately shell-shocked Palace.

The danger of being caught cold – as Arsenal were against Brentford on Friday night – was very real for the European champions.

Tuchel named an under-strength team without the injured N’Golo Kante and Hakim Ziyech; Kai Havertz and Thiago Silva were on the bench and £97.5million club-record signing Romelu Lukaku was unavailable as he observes quarantine.

So the chance was there for Palace to perhaps cause an early upset – or at least make life difficult for their opponents. 

Instead Tuchel’s team issued a statement of intent in their bid to dethrone Manchester City as Champions.

Three points never looked in doubt from the moment Marcos Alonso swept a 27th-minute free kick into the top corner to give Chelsea a lead their early superiority deserved.

Marcos ALonso
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Christian Pulisic doubled their advantage five minutes before half-time after Mason Mount’s cross.

For both Alonso and Pulisic this was an opportunity to make a point to Tuchel.

In the case of Alonso, his energy and creativity is confirmation of what he can offer as an option on the left, despite being offered as a makeweight in the deal to sign Lukaku from Inter Milan.

But perhaps it was Pulisic’s performance that was of greater significance, with the winger arguably forcing himself ahead of Timo Werner in the battle for a place on the left of Tuchel’s preferred attack.

Havertz may be ahead of both – but Pulisic’s goal and dangerous runs into the box should have improved his chances of retaining his place against Arsenal next week when Lukaku is expected to lead the line for the first time.

Chelsea are spoilt for choice in wide areas, with Mount, Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi also options to play either side of their new centre forward.

It was Werner who started in the middle on this occasion, but it was another game in which the German frustrated with his end product.

Even Pulisic’s goal was an example of Werner’s lack of cutting edge – with Vicente Guaita beating the German to Mount’s cross.

Pulisic – arriving late – scored via the crossbar. But had Lukaku been on the pitch, the suspicion is he would have finished the initial chance.

Even the Belgium international could not have struck a shot any more sweetly than Trevoh Chalobah’s swerving effort in the 58th minute to make it 3-0.

It was a moment that prompted the loudest roar inside Stamford Bridge – and the player himself appeared overcome with emotion as he dropped to his knees and held his hands aloft.

Trevoh Chalobah
Getty Images

It was a magical moment on his Premier League debut.

Who knows how many more games he will get in the blue shirt, with a loan move expected before the close of the transfer window. But on the evidence of this – and his impressive performance against Villarreal in the Super Cup – he has a bright future ahead of him.

The future also looks bright for Chelsea.

This was the ideal end to a near-perfect week.

A first piece of silverware, the signing of Lukaku and finally three points to kick off the campaign.

There will be much sterner tests to come for Tuchel, but he could not have asked for more from the opening day.

Notice of Chelsea’s intent has been made – even if their manager did baulk at suggestions they should be considered title favourites this season.

On this evidence, he may have to think again. 

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