Chelsea’s plans to sign new players behind schedule – Tuchel

Chelsea FC manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that owing to the uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership, efforts to add new players for next season are falling behind schedule.

He went on to say that the squad would just require “cosmetic surgery.”

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow refers to as a “special military operation,” Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich placed Chelsea up for sale.

Chelsea are unable to recruit new players or renew existing contracts due to sanctions placed by the British government on Abramovich.

Tuchel stated over the weekend that Antonio Rudiger will leave when his contract ends, and Andreas Christensen is also expected to go.

“You’re never fully sure, but we would have some targets and we would for sure have contacted some players and found out about their situations.

“Now our hands are tied, we can still have the talks inside the building but we cannot act.

“The situation is not ideal. It would be challenging enough with a stable situation. We don’t have that so everyone is doing it for the first time,” said Tuchel.

While Manchester United’s interim manager, Ralf Rangnick, said, last week, that his club needed an “open heart operation” to fix their issues, Tuchel gave a more positive outlook for Chelsea.

“Cosmetic surgery,” he responded when asked if Chelsea needed the same. “I would be less concerned if we still had the same ownership, if we could rely on our structure.

“As this is also in question we are not concerned, but aware, of the danger that the situation is maybe a bit more complex.”

Chelsea are third in the Premier League on 65 points from 32 matches, while United are sixth on 54 points from 34 matches.