Thomas Tuchel has revealed Raheem Sterling’s £47.5million signing has eased the fears of Chelsea ’s senior stars who had been concerned at the lack of signings this summer.
The club are expected to complete up to four more signings as they look to compete in the Premier League title arms race under new owner Todd Boehly.
“I was concerned,” admitted Blues boss Tuchel, now in Las Vegas for the second leg of their US tour. “Everybody was concerned because we are what we are and we are used to winning and being competitive.”
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s first friendly against Club America in Nevada, Tuchel added: “When you lose big players and you are not able to act - of course we were concerned. We are starting the transfer race from a bit behind but it does not mean that we cannot find solutions that will make us happy, stronger and competitive.”
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Last season’s sanctions meant Chelsea could not improve on their contract offer to Antonio Rudiger, leaving the Germany defender to defect on a free transfer to Real Madrid. Andreas Christensen also quit the club on a Bosman for Barcelona while Romelu Lukaku rejoined Inter Milan on loan.
Winger Hakim Ziyech is also set for a loan move to AC Milan while Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is also determined leave for Barcelona after winning everything there is to win in a Blues’ shirt.
It led to uncertainty about the direction of the club post-Abramovich despite the arrival of new owner Todd Boehly.
But Chelsea will follow up Sterling’s deal with confirmation of the £34million Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly this weekend, also the £45million acquisition of Manchester City defender Nathan Ake.
They also retain an interest in Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and are waiting to pounce if the Poland marksman’s first choice, Barcelona, are unable to meet his £42million price tag.
That has left the Chelsea dressing room more confident of the club’s ability to compete with Liverpool, City and resurgent Spurs next season.
Tuchel went on: “I don’t feel anxiety and I don’t feel distraction. It’s how you overcome situations like this. “We are in dialogue even with the key players about these things to calm them down and let them know that we are on it.
“Things are not that easy. These players have also an idea of what would be a good fit and they know players so it’s very interesting to engage without giving them the power to give their own lists.
“They know that we are on it and it’s important that they focus on what they can influence and this is what we do.”
