Over the last couple of years, Chelsea have struggled to match the levels produced by Thomas Tuchel, with the German being a monster hit with the supporters as a result of his success.
He was appointed as manager back in January 2021, taking over from Frank Lampard, going on to achieve the unthinkable just a couple of months after moving to Stamford Bridge.
The former PSG boss would mastermind the Blues to a 1-0 win over fellow Premier League side Manchester City in the Champions League final - claiming just their second European Cup triumph in Portugal.
thomas-tuchel-champions-league-trophy
Such an achievement will always make him a fan favourite in West London, with many arguing he was unfairly dismissed by the hierarchy back in September 2022.
Current boss Enzo Maresca is yet to match the heights set by the German, but he will need time to work his magic given the influx of additions - something which Tuchel missed after his dismissal.
Chelsea’s hunt to land a number nine in 2025
Nicolas Jackson has been Chelsea’s number-one striking option over the last couple of years, notching a total of 26 goals in his 68 outings for the Blues.
However, his injury, coupled with the lack of depth, has seen the hierarchy constantly linked with various attackers all over Europe - as they try to push the club closer to the top of the division.
Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson reacts after sustaining an injury
The likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Jonathan David have all been linked with a move to the Bridge in recent weeks, showcasing the potential quality the club could attract this summer.
The window doesn’t open yet for another couple of months, with qualification for the Champions League only boosting their chances of landing a top-level talent to take the side forward.
Many supporters must wish they had their own version of one world-class star, with one player previously predicted to emulate his success before his eventual departure.
The player who was tipped to be Chelsea’s own Harry Kane
Striker Harry Kane is a player who’s always been associated with goals, understandably so given his goalscoring exploits wherever he’s played throughout his career.
harry-kane-england-world-cup
The 31-year-old is Tottenham Hotspur’s and England’s record scorers, notching a total of 280 and 71 goals respectively - even carrying on his superb form with Bayern Munich.
He joined the Bundesliga giants in 2023 and has scored 77 times in just 83 appearances across all competitions, highlighting the clinical nature he possesses in the final third.
However, the Blues could’ve had their very own version of the talisman in the form of Timo Werner, who was sold for £25m by Tuchel in the summer of 2022, returning to former side RB Leipzig.
The 29-year-old has high hopes of being a success in the capital, costing £45m just two years prior - taking the Premier League by storm in his first year, notching 14 combined goal contributions.
Timo Werner's stats since leaving Chelsea back in 2022
Season
2022/23
2023/24
2023/24
2024/25
Total:
Stats via FotMob
Such a run of form would lead to teammate Ben Chilwell comparing him to Kane and that he had the potential to be world-class during his time at the Bridge.
“He's up there with [Kane and Vardy] & he can go on to be absolutely world class for a long time, the next 10yrs or so. I think when you look at his age and how prolific he is in front of goal, even now his stats at Chelsea he's scored a lot of goals already."
Ben Chilwell on Timo Werner.
It’s safe to say the striker had divided opinion during his time as a Blue, with the club certainly making the right call in offloading him given his lack of form over the last couple of seasons.
He’s spent the last two years on loan at city rivals Spurs, scoring just three times in his last 41 outings - looking wasteful and past the level required of a player in England’s top flight.
There’s no denying he failed to live up to expectations during his time at the Bridge, struggling to prove Chilwell right in his claim and ultimately unable to live up to the hype.
Whilst they lost money at the time of selling him back to his former employers, it was certainly the right call, with his value likely to plummet further given his recent unsuccessful stint in North London.
Chelsea-Gyokeres Related
[He's like Gyokeres: Chelsea plot bid for "one of the best STs in the world"](https://www.footballfancast.com/their-answer-to-gyokeres-chelsea-plot-move-for-jonathan-david/ "He's like Gyokeres: Chelsea plot bid for "one of the best STs in the world"")
Chelsea are targeting another player to improve the options within the final third.