Thomas Tuchel revealed Mateo Kovacic is already one of his favourite players at Chelsea after the midfielder impressed in Monday's 2-0 win over Newcastle.
The Croatian has started all five Premier League matches since Tuchel took charge at Stamford Bridge, and had more touches of the ball and completed passes than anyone else on the pitch against Newcastle.
Speaking after the match, Kovacic's new boss hailed the enthusiasm the midfielder has shown in recent weeks.
'I love him. I could wake the guy at 3 at night and he will be at Cobham at 3.15 ready to give everything,' Tuchel told the 5th Stand.
'I need to calm the guy down in training, that he's not doing too much. It's a pleasure to have him.'
Kovacic completed 90 minutes in the league four times under Lampard earlier in the season, and he has already matched that total under Tuchel.
The German boss has settled on the 26-year-old in midfield alongside Jorginho, who has enjoyed a return to the side and has played every minute in the league under Tuchel so far.
And it has had immediate results, with the back three system bringing the new regime 13 points out of a possible 15 having conceded just one goal in that run.
Monday night's win took Chelsea back into the top four ahead of a crucial month for their season.
They play Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16, as well as hosting top-four rivals Manchester United and Everton and facing potentially tricky away trips to Southampton and Leeds.
Brightberry
602
Chelsea have gone from 10th to 4th place in 20 days and only concede one goal in five games, Chelsea is lucky to have him
Ken_B
376
Experience is good, whatever you learning, learn it well so you don’t disappoint yourself with excuses. You see this man Mr TT will excel. We been complaining about wingers not being in form, or scoring goals or injury etc, that’s why Chelsea struggling but Tuchel came and make us not to rely on any player. He had scared us with his line up in most matches but at the end he deliver. Isn’t about big names, as a coach don’t be scared to leave any player on bench if they’re not giving it all.. Without Kante, Ziyech, Chilwell, Pulisic, Zuma and James in starting line up Chelsea still giving a good result and good performance, now imagine what will happen if all these players pick up form as expected, then any stadium Chelsea visit will catch fire 🔥