Raheem Sterling verdict on Thomas Tuchel's plans may mean three key Chelsea changes next season

According to Nizaar Kinsella of the Thomas Tuchel has told Raheem Sterling his plans for the upcoming season and how the England international will be involved. It’s no surprise that Sterling was impressed by Tuchel’s plans. Both parties have now agreed on personal terms and it’s just left for Chelsea and Manchester City to complete a deal.

The beauty of the transfer window is that it opens a period for speculation. What are Tuchel’s plans for Raheem Sterling? Why him? And what does this mean for the other attackers in the squad? These are questions that Chelsea fans like myself are keen on discovering the answers to. Until the Blues are in action in the Premier League for the first time, it’s a matter of the unknown, but I have a good idea of what the boss could be conjuring up.

A formation change is most likely on the cards for Chelsea’s future as well as a change in personnel. With Romelu Lukaku’s confirmed loan back to Inter Milan, he may just be the first of many to leave. There’s not enough room for attackers at Chelsea considering their stacked rota, so we can expect some departures. Finally, expect that Tuchel is going in for the big prize.

The 3-4-3 formation has worked for the Blues since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival in 2021. Since the formation switch, Chelsea have won a Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup, and made two domestic finals. Not bad for 18 months worth of work.

The sustainability of this formation is not the greatest. Fans have seen the demise of Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 masterclass in the 2017/18 season. The system just doesn’t allow for much attacking freedom. There are times when the flow between the attackers calls for excitement, but it could be better.

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