Most important piece’: TalkSPORT pundit claims key Chelsea figure will be at the Bridge next season

By Bakare Peter Last updated Apr 12, 2022

Darren Bent has insisted that Thomas Tuchel will remain at Chelsea over the summer.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the former centre-forward backed Tuchel to be in the Stamford Bridge dugout once the new campaign begins.

With all the uncertainty still surrounding the identity of the club’s new owners, many fans would be excused for sweating over the future of several influential individuals at Cobham.

Perhaps none more so than the coach that has brought the men’s team so much success in the past 12 months or so.

Tuchel revitalised the Blues after a sodden period under Frank Lampard, changing the direction of the side to new pastures.

Since his installation at the helm, Chelsea have been crowned Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup winners.

They have also reached two domestic cup finals and were once favourites to win the Premier League, before a post-Christmas stumble.

The FA Cup could end up in the trophy cabinet, whilst successive European glory is not quite out of the equation just yet.

Chelsea would almost certainly not be in this situation if it wasn’t for the man who replaced Lampard last January.

To lose Tuchel at any time, let alone at the end of the term, is a scary scenario for sure.

Roman Abramovich’s replacement might feel the need to replicate their predecessor and sack the manager at short notice.

Or, Tuchel himself may walk away from the project, if he senses a disparity between his desires and those at the top of the tree.

In this second scenario, the line of interested suitors for the German would be endless.

“I think he’s the most important piece at Chelsea, I really do. If he ever became available, there would be a long list of takers, I’m telling you,” said Bent.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen at Chelsea. With Roman Abramovich no longer being there, is the days of managers being sacked after eight, nine months even going t be a thing? We don’t know.

“First and foremost, Tuchel will be at Chelsea next season. He will be disappointed. They will finish inside the top four, that’s for sure.

“But he will look at it as a disappointment. They had an opportunity to win the League Cup. They are still in with a shout for the Champions League, they are in the FA Cup semi-final.

“If they lose that, it will be a disappointment, but I still think he’s a top-class manager and Manchester United for sure will be in for him.”

United have seemingly already settled upon Erik ten Hag as their new boss, yet will surely be keeping an eye on Chelsea’s state of affairs just in case Tuchel becomes obtainable.