Thomas Tuchel admits he is already concerned about closing the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City next season with the sale of the club to American billionaire Todd Boehly still to be officially rubber-stamped.
Chelsea’s future plans remain uncertain due to the sense of flux around Stamford Bridge regarding the takeover from Roman Abramovich, with the club effectively under a transfer ban until the sale goes through.
Tuchel met Boehly for lunch last week and the American was present again for Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Leicester.
And although the transaction is edging closer to completion, the German admits Chelsea are playing catch-up to their rivals.
“The top teams like Liverpool bought top players in the winter to make their squad stronger,” Tuchel said at a press conference.
“City have signed Haaland already to make their squad stronger. We are losing players so at the moment so my focus is to build a strong team and see what is even possible and see if it is possible to close the gap.”
The draw with Leicester was the seventh time Chelsea have been held at home this season.
And with defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen leaving the club when their contracts expire after Sunday’s season-ending clash with Watford, Tuchel said improvements are needed in front of goal.
“Of course I think we can do better,” he said.
“We have struggled with efficiency, with goalscoring, with consistency, determination and precision in the box against teams who sit deep.
“But we lacked huge quality for much of the season with Ben Chilwell, N’Golo (Kante), Reece James all injured for long spells and it’s maybe a miracle we have been in the top-three without these key players.
“We missed them for weeks and weeks and it never stopped for us.
“Maybe it just needs luck to change for us and we have everyone available.”
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