Thomas Tuchel has admitted he is missing the presence of Petr Cech as he continues to try and adjust to the Todd Boehly era at Chelsea.
Boehly has completely overhauled the way Chelsea run since his consortium completed a takeover from Roman Abramovich at the end of May. Chairman Bruce Buck and director Marina Granovskaia have been moved on, along with Cech, who worked as technical and performance advisor for three years up until he decided to step down on June 30.
The changes behind the scenes have taken time to get used to at Chelsea, who are in the midst of a crucial summer transfer window. After losing defenders Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger on free transfers and offloading forwards Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner to their former clubs, the Blues need more additions before the window closes on September 1.
Boehly has been acting as a de facto sporting director over the past few months – and while he has closed deals for Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Carney Chukwuemeka and Marc Cucurella – Tuchel has suggested that the void of expertise is being felt.
“I still think we are in transition with a new ownership,” he told Soccer AM when asked to sum up Chelsea’s eventful pre-season. “Petr Cech out who was also such a big key factor, also for me in the season in the building here in Cobham, speaking with everybody and the staff and being a huge support for me.
“He’s not here any more so there are some changes. We are positive but we are a bit in transition so we are excited but it comes pretty early (the season).”
HAVE YOUR SAY! Do Chelsea need to appoint a sporting director? Comment below.
Cech is best known as a goalkeeper for Chelsea, having made 333 appearances over 11 years, but for the past three years he has also played a vital role at the club. The 40-year-old was well respected at the club, where he was tasked with giving advice and guidance on all football and performance matters.
Tuchel has admitted that he has found the past few months stressful, with the new ownership causing lots of uncertainty. Chelsea were thrashed 4-0 by Arsenal during their pre-season tour of the USA last month, giving an indication of their level ahead of the new season.
“Normally I switch off, I train myself to switch off but this season it was impossible,” Tuchel added. “New ownership, new communication, transfer period. We lost key players. It was not a summer like the last years and it felt a lot shorter than it actually was.”
Chelsea picked up a 1-0 win over Everton in their opening Premier League game on Sunday, but face a much bigger challenge when they host Tottenham this weekend. Cucurella will be in contention to start after coming off the bench against the Toffees, but Tuchel is still desperate for more defensive reinforcements, with Wesley Fofana the primary target.
