Thomas Tuchel believes Chelsea need only ‘cosmetic surgery’ this summer, rather than the open-heart operation Manchester United require according to Ralf Rangnick.
Tuchel was speaking before Chelsea’s trip to Old Trafford on Thursday, ahead of what promises to be a challenging transfer window for both clubs.
Erik ten Hag must rebuild United’s squad, while government sanctions against Roman Abramovich have left Chelsea in limbo: they cannot currently sign or sell players, even with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen set to leave on free transfers.
Tuchel sought to allay fears over his own future, however, insisting he is committed to the challenge.
When asked what treatment Chelsea require this summer, Tuchel laughed: ‘Cosmetic surgery. I would be less concerned if we had still the same ownership… as this is also in question we are, not concerned, but aware of the danger that the situation is maybe a bit more complex.’
He added: ‘It is demanding enough nowadays in football to lose this kind of quality in a back three, lose two key players for free… it can be a very, very demanding summer. ‘
With Ten Hag likely to be busy and Manchester City expected to sign Erling Haaland, the German admitted: ‘It will not be easier. We wanted to compete and you could see that we could not compete over the long run… I was so happy with the structure that the club provides and the mentality Chelsea provides.’
He added: ‘With this now being questioned it’s getting more demanding, not difficult because I don’t know what’s coming… it’s a bit concerning and hopefully we can find our way through it.’
The Chelsea boss admitted he would ordinarily have begun sounding out potential signings by now. This season, however, ‘we can still have the talks inside the building but we cannot act.’
Nevertheless, Tuchel moved to assure supporters that he is relishing the task.
‘It would be challenging enough with a stable situation,’ he said. ‘This is maybe for me very important to give this message: I’m committed, I’m looking forward to it and I’m passionate about it. And as soon as we can act we will try to act and turn things around and make it from a disadvantage to maybe an advantage.’
Though Chelsea’s takeover is in its final stages, Tuchel conceded: ‘It is not possible that a new owner comes in and says: ‘Go wild, here is £250million – go and spend it’.
He remains determined not to write off the summer, however. ‘It isn’t even May, it’s too early. There is still faith,’ Tuchel said.