When Chelsea will return for pre-season as Thomas Tuchel sets Todd Boehly big transfer demand

Thomas Tuchel will not get to enjoy a holiday this summer. Not in the truest sense. Even if the Chelsea head coach is able to get away with his family, there will be countless calls to take, meetings to sit through, and big decisions to be made. He won't be able to switch off, won't be able to disconnect from the goings-on at Stamford Bridge.

In Tuchel's own words, the Chelsea squad requires a rebuild. That will not be easy, especially as they are playing catch-up to their Premier League and European rivals. The sanctions placed upon current owner Roman Abramovich in March have impacted the Blues to the extent they've been unable to approach transfer targets or offer new contracts to their own players.

That will not change until Abramovich is no longer owner – and there is genuine hope the consortium led by U.S. billionaire Todd Boehly will officially be completed in the week ahead. From that moment on, Chelsea will need to act swiftly. In fact, Tuchel has demanded as much.

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"We have to be fast and smart," the Chelsea head coach said. "At the moment, we have a huge disadvantage – but that's not decisive yet. There is no need to make excuses, it is just the situation we are in, and we have to be as quick as possible. Right now, of course, it's unsatisfying because our hands are tied, and we cannot act as we want.

"We have clear ideas for the profiles and characteristics of these players. But it's not like we put a name on the list, and then we get the player. We have to convince the player, speak to their clubs, and convince ourselves this is the player [we need]. So there is normally a lot of work, and it will be the same to