Rio Ferdinand praises Tuchel's handling of Chelsea's senior stars

Rio Ferdinand has praised Thomas Tuchel for sparking Chelsea's resurgence by getting the perfect blend between youth and experience out on the pitch.

Frank Lampard was ruthlessly sacked by Chelsea in January with former PSG and Borussia Dortmund boss Tuchel replacing the Stamford Bridge hero in the dugout.

Chelsea fans were up in arms at Lampard's departure but so far, with Tuchel unbeaten in his first 14 games at the helm, there has been little room to criticise the German.

Speaking to his Vibe with Five YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: 'I think bringing experience back into the team and giving them more responsibility has been a big difference to Frank’s.

‘Frank definitely went with the younger players and I think that knocked a few of the older players’ noses out of joint and they may have reacted negatively towards that.

‘That created a problem. But these players have come back in – Tuchel has rounded up the experienced players and told them "you’re here, you’re my mainstay and the younger players you’re going to be a part of that as well."'

Players such as Antonio Rudiger and Marcos Alonso have featured more regularly under Tuchel but youngsters such as Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi have so far been integral to his beginning in London.

Ferdinand also credited Tuchel with getting his tactical views across quickly and clearly after taking the reigns in mid-season, as well as restoring N'Golo Kante to his best position in the centre of midfield.

'It’s down to coaching on the training pitch,’ Ferdinand added. ‘Being able to translate your ideas and what you need from individuals and as a collective and doing that on the TV screen in the classroom and getting it out on the pitch in training sessions.

‘One of the key things is having Kante central in midfield. The amount of balls he’s won back for that team to maintain possession and to maintain position on the pitch has been phenomenal.'

Chelsea currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League place in the Premier League table and are two points ahead of fifth-place West Ham, their nearest contenders.

After the international break is over, Tuchel and Chelsea return to action with a home match against relegation candidates West Brom.

They then meet Porto in the last eight of the Champions League.