Ashley Cole says the drop in the number of unforced mistakes is the ‘big difference’ between Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea.
Since Tuchel took over from Lampard at Stamford Bridge in January, Chelsea have gone from strength to strength.
Lampard’s side were ninth in the league table when the blues legend was relieved of his duties after just 18 months at the club.
But former Dortmund and PSG manager Tuchel has managed to guide the London side into top four and to Champions League and FA Cup finals.
Cole highlighted the reduction in errors under Tuchel, although, a mistake from Jorginho condemned the club to defeat later against Arsenal.
‘It’s just more he gives the individual players a direction and instructions but you can see when they play he trusts his shape, he trusts his style of play and he trusts his players within that system and strategy,’ ex-Chelsea defender Cole told Sky Sports of Tuchel.
‘I think the big difference was, I’m sure of it, the unforced errors. I think they couldn’t stop crosses under Frank. ‘Did they show that leadership quality at times? Thiago coming in has definitely helped that.’
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‘I had the pleasure to have a meeting with him [Tuchel] last week with a few of the academy staff just to get an insight into how he works on a daily basis,’ Cole added.
‘It was great to see. He’s got that happy environment, I think he’s got all players on side. They’ve got that work ethic and willingness to want to improve and get better. So I kind of see the way he works and understands.
‘When I watch Chelsea I think, okay, I see these passing patterns and the way he sees football was brilliant for me as a young coach. I think he’s just got the players on side. The unforced errors have gone. So far he’s done a great job here and following on from this season hopefully next season will be even better.
‘Coming into this job with the foundations that Frank left with him being able to play the younger players, he’s had that foundation now. Frank got the best out of the young players, I think at the time he gave them an opportunity and now Tuchel is relishing it and utilising the young players even more.
‘You’re seeing some quality, quality young players. I think he came in thinking this was a great job, great time… and you are seeing Chelsea at their best at the moment.’
