believes should feel ‘blessed’ to boast as their manager, despite last night’s painful exit at the hands of Real Madrid.
Tuchel tore into his players after last week’s shock 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge against the Spanish giants, a loss which appeared to have sealed Chelsea’s fate in this year’s competition.
The German was heavily criticised for airing his grievances so publicly but his charges responded with a scintillating display at Southampton on Saturday and came within in a whisker of completing a remarkable act of escapology at the Bernabeu.
Goals from Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger and Timo Werner looked to have completed a remarkable comeback, only for Real Madrid to claw their way back into the contest with Karim Benzema providing the decisive moment six minutes into extra time.
Despite that setback, Fabregas, who won two Premier League titles during his spell in west London, was full of praise for Chelsea’s boss, tweeting: ‘Whatever happens. Chelseaare blessed with Thomas Tuchel. What a manager.’
Those sentiments were largely echoed by Joe Cole, another former Blues title-winner, who urged the club’s new owners to ensure Tuchel is tied to a new long-term contract, even if Chelsea end the season without a trophy.
Cole told BT Sport: ‘He knows in no uncertain terms it’s silverware where you are judged at Chelsea that’s where the club has been for the last 20-odd years.
‘I think the way he’s conducted himself from the first leg to how he’s got a team, adjusted it tactically.
‘I know there’s uncertainty at Chelsea now but whatever happens the first thing whoever comes in is to sit down with Thomas Tuchel because he’s still the best young-ish manager in the world.’
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