Thomas Tuchel has beaten Jose Mourinho to set a new record after Chelsea’s 4-0 demolition of Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Chelsea sent a statement of intent to the rest of Europe’s elite as goals from Chalobah, Reece James, Hudson-Odoi and Timo Werner sealed a superb performance at Stamford Bridge.
The match also marked Tuchel’s 50th in charge of the Blues in all competitions and the Champions League holders are showing no signs of easing up under the German coach.
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Out of those 50 matches with Tuchel in charge, Chelsea have registered 32 wins and have kept 31 clean sheets so far.
But with only 24 goals conceded, Tuchel has overtaken Mourinho to set a new benchmark for the best defensive record of any manager in Premier League history.
Mourinho had previously held the record with his first spell in charge of the London club from 2004 as his club conceded 27 goals in his first 50 matches.
When asked about the new record he has set, Tuchel said after Chelsea’s 4-0 victory over Juventus: ‘That’s my 50th game today as a Chelsea manager? Nice nice.
‘It’s not written over the manager’s office, ‘defensive is what counts’, it’s just part of the game and it’s a huge part of the game.
‘Sometimes defending is the best defence to get control of games, to protect us against counter-attacks, this is what we do very good.
GOALS CONCEDED AFTER 50 MATCHES
Thomas Tuchel | Chelsea | 24 goals
Jose Mourinho | Chelsea (2004) | 27 goals
Avram Grant | Chelsea | 32 goals
Joe Fagan | Liverpool | 34 goals
Ron Atkinson | Man Utd | 37 goals
‘I feel we are very aware and we do the unthankful, invisible work, very, very disciplined, and we protect us against counter-attacks, and when we have to defend we dig in and really defend.
‘And with a bit of luck and good goalkeeping it’s possible.’
