Thomas Tuchel explains Raheem Sterling role in…

Thomas Tuchel explains Raheem Sterling role in 'impatient' Chelsea plan to match Liverpool

Thomas Tuchel is optimistic the signing of Raheem Sterling will enable Chelsea to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City this season.

The Londoners ended the 2021/22 campaign 18 points behind the Reds and 19 adrift of Pep Guardiola's champions despite being firmly in the title hunt in the opening months of last term. Top-flight disappointment was compounded by two cup final defeats to Liverpool and a quarter-final exit from the Champions League.

Roman Abramovich's reported ties to Russia president Vladimir Putin ensured Chelsea endured a season to forget, although belief is slowly building under new owner Todd Boehly. The American businessman sanctioned the £50millon deal to sign Sterling and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly is expected to be the next individual to put pen to paper on a contract at Stamford Bridge.

Whether or not this transfer activity will enable them to mount an immediate title challenge remains to be seen, though it's clear the Chelsea head coach will be left bitterly disappointed should this fail to become a reality.

"I'm a very impatient person. I don't want to talk about the long term. This is not me," Tuchel told BBC Sport. "We will try to close the gap in the first game but the first game is Everton and we need to be ready. For that, we have some homework to do because we need a strong squad otherwise we cannot compete for what we are used to competing in as Chelsea. I don't want to give in and I don't want to lose this kind of spirit and attitude. We need to do our homework and build a strong team.

"Hopefully he [Sterling] shapes our team by just being who he is. He will be a huge asset for us."

Also following Abramovich out of the door at Stamford Bridge were Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia, who played a key role in Chelsea's recruitment. As a result, Tuchel is having a major say on incomings as he works closely alongside Boehly.

The interim model being used has been likened to the hands-on approach the Reds have followed in recent years under sporting director Michael Edwards, with one report claiming Chelsea are aiming to be 'the next Liverpool'.

Explaining the demands of this responsibility, Tuchel said: "I'm a lot more involved. I have to step up in terms of responsibility. I think in the long term or even when the close of the pre-season comes, I will want to be more on the coaching role again."

Now entering his second full season in charge of the team, Chelsea supporters may be hoping for some stability after what can only be described as a turbulent year for the club on and off the pitch. One manager who will be sticking around for at least the next four years is Jurgen Klopp. But can Tuchel see himself doing the same as the Liverpool boss?

"Yeah, I would like to, but I have to earn it," he said. "Pep and Jurgen, they didn't get it offered to them, just like this. You have to earn it and I have to earn my years here at Chelsea so I'm doing the best I can to be the best version of myself that I can be."

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