Tuchel backs Chelsea owners after Neville jibe

Thomas Tuchel has defended Chelsea’s new owners after Gary Neville claimed they have seemed “a bit panicky” when trying to sign players this summer.

The former England and Manchester United defender has suggested that co-owner Todd Boehly has been too quick to take a leading role.

But Blues head coach Tuchel praised Boehly and director Behdad Eghbali when asked about Neville’s comments.

“Panicking? No, I would describe it as super-hard-working and learning while on the job,” Tuchel said.

“New ownership and stepping into the transfer market is maybe one of the toughest things you can do.

“I have nothing but respect and the biggest compliments for both Todd and Behdad. I don’t know when they sleep – I think maybe they never sleep.

“We have a very honest, very open and very direct line of communication, and the transfers so far speaks for itself.”

Chelsea have signed the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly this summer.

And as Tuchel was speaking at a press conference on Friday morning, the club were finalising the signing of defender Marc Cucurella from Brighton.

Reinforcements have been needed, with sanctions imposed on previous owner Roman Abramovich having prevented Chelsea from signing players, and key defenders Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger departing.

“We had a delay, of course. No-one is guilty for that delay,” Tuchel said.

“We had a delay because of the sanctions and the sanctions led to the loss of key players.

“But both of the owners who are involved in the daily business are doing a fantastic job so far.”