Tuchel: 'Cosmetic surgery' is all that Chelsea need

Thomas Tuchel has insisted Chelsea's squad only needs a facelift for next season, ahead of taking on a Manchester United side that Ralf Rangnick reckons requires "open heart surgery". Blues coach Tuchel will go head to head with mentor Rangnick at Old Trafford in Thursday's Premier League clash, adamant that Chelsea do not need the emergency operation being talked about by the Red Devils. Where Rangnick believes new United boss Erik Ten Hag will have to breathe new life into the Old Trafford ranks, Tuchel still remains confident Chelsea's needs only run skin deep.

Chelsea have lost ground on their rivals in recruitment and retention for next term due to the club's constraints given owner Roman Abramovich's UK Government sanctions. Talisman defender Antonio Rudiger will leave for Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, with fellow centre-back Andreas Christensen also bound for Barcelona. Asked what Chelsea need this summer in light of Rangnick's heart operation comments, Tuchel replied: "Cosmetic surgery.

I would be less concerned if we had still the same ownership, if we could rely on our structure. "As this is also in question we are, not concerned, but aware of the danger that the situation is maybe a bit more complex. "And it can be complex enough if you lose a player like Toni, and maybe lose another player like Andreas with the kind of quality, and both of them free.

"It is demanding enough nowadays in football to lose these kinds of quality, in a back three lose two key players for free. "It can be demanding enough even if everything else stays in place. So with this in question it can be a very, very demanding summer.