Thomas Tuchel fears Chelsea are "not ready" for the new season and hit out at their "exhausting" pre-season schedule.
The Blues spent a fortnight in the United States, taking on American and English opposition. They narrowly beat Club America but lost to Charlotte FC on penalties and were then mauled by Arsenal - which drew scathing criticism from the German. Tours around the globe are now the done thing for major clubs, with Liverpool and Manchester United both heading to Asia.
However, Tuchel believes Chelsea's trip across the Atlantic had a negative effect before they returned to Europe for two more games against Udinese. The Blues won both encounters but their manager declared they "were not ready" for their season opener against Everton.
He said: "It was a pretty long pre-season. Tiring and exhausting to be in the US for so long, and having to travel again today under the circumstances is not so easy, pretty demanding.
"After this weekend we prepare for nothing else other than Everton. The season is right in front of the door. There is a lot of positive stuff but we need to improve. We are not ready yet. We don't have to be ready yet. We have another week and then it is time to be on the best level. It is always nice when the season arrives. We will have this week There is still some way to go."
Tuchel has had to deal with an ownership change as well as a turnover of players this summer, which has kept him well occupied. American Todd Boehly is now at the helm and has taken on a major role in their recruitment.
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The sanctions previously placed on the club meant they couldn't negotiate contract extensions, which allowed Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to run down their deals. They have since joined Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, leaving the Blues in the market for new defenders.
Chelsea missed out on long-term target Jules Kounde, who has joined Barcelona, but they have added Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli to bolster their backline. Tuchel said on his new buy: "[Koulibaly] is a very, very good signing and a strong personality and player - happy he could play and he is getting fitter and fitter. It is very important for us for the start of the season."
Raheem Sterling has also been signed from domestic rivals Manchester City. The England winger was no longer guaranteed a first-team spot at the Etihad and will be targeting a fresh start at Stamford Bridge.
