It is now a public knowledge that Chelsea want Erling Haaland, and the Norway international certainly want a move away from Dortmund to experience life somewhere. If Borussia Dortmund can be tempted, it’s a no-brainer. Erling Haaland is among maybe four or five strikers in world football who are a guaranteed source of goals. He’s scored 85 in 81 games in his last two seasons for RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund. He’s terrifying and would make an already scary Chelsea the club of nightmares in England and Europe next season. His arrival would turn the Premier League title contenders into outright favourites.
Tuchel’s two previous jobs have seen him work with and get the best out of similarly prolific forwards. Kylian Mbappe scored 69 goals in 80 games, Neymar notched 42 in 55 and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang claimed 79 in 95 under the German. Haaland’s arrival would require a change of tactics: if Havertz is a false nine, Haaland is about as nine as it’s possible to be. He is nine to at least seven decimal places. But to question Tuchel’s ability to shift tactics would be madness. He completely changed the system upon his arrival to take the edge off Chelsea’s flaws and bring the positives to the fore. Imagining what he can do without the major Chelsea problem should be a harrowing prospect for his title rivals.
The authority he has built in such a short time at Chelsea is crucial ahead of this summer of business. While Lampard was vital in luring the top young talent to the club last summer, the signings – brilliant though they were thought to be and could still be – had a hint of Chelsea circa 2004-2006 about them. Whether due to a lack of sway on Lampard’s part or a lack of proper due care and attention from Lampard himself, it quickly became apparent that there hadn’t been a great deal of thought as to how these new players would all fit together.
You don’t get that sense with Tuchel. He knows exactly what and who he wants and now has the clout – with a Champions League trophy secured – to tell the club what’s what. He’s not in charge (no Chelsea manager ever is) but he’s got a voice the bosses will now hear. A voice that could soon be accompanied by the heavy footsteps of another.
