Chelsea face challenge to keep up with rivals this summer – Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel believes Chelsea face a summer of “rebuilding” amid the impact of the Stamford Bridge club’s sale.

Chelsea will lose Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen to Barcelona on free transfers this summer.

The Blues are blocked from making new signings or securing existing players to new deals under the strict terms of the temporary UK Government licence.

Owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the Government on March 10, with Downing Street claiming to have proven his links to Russian president Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine.

Abramovich’s lawyers are understood to be hopeful of striking a legal resolution with the Government that could now usher through Chelsea’s £4.25billion sale to Todd Boehly.

The Government is yet to agree to any terms, it is understood, with the granting of a licence to complete the sale the final step of Boehly’s purchase process.

Chelsea’s hiatus in the transfer market has allowed rivals, both domestic and European, to steal a march on summer window targets.

“You ask many times if we have a delay in approaching players and making plans; of course, a huge delay,” said Blues boss Tuchel.

“We are affected by it, players are going out. We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. This is always challenging but we are up for the challenge.

“I don’t know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that. I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what.

“We will still work for Chelsea and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see.

“On how the delay and sanctions will affect us, there is a risk.

“It will be very challenging to make up for the