Todd Boehly ‘REVAMPS Chelsea’s £200m transfer policy to hand control to Thomas Tuchel’ – like Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp – and he could DITCH Lukaku and move for Ousmane Dembele and Matthijs de Ligt
- Chelsea worked with Thomas Tuchel last summer on mutually beneficial targets
- But reports claim Blues will follow Man City and Liverpool in giving boss power
- That could be a boost for Romelu Lukaku who wants to return to Inter Milan
- Ousmane Dembele and Matthijs de Ligt are reported targets for the Blues
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has reportedly shifted the club’s policy with regards to transfers by handing boss Thomas Tuchel the reins on matters in the window.
Policy before their new owner’s arrival had seen the club work with Tuchel and his predecessors to identify and chase players that suited both the manager and those above him.
Moreover, it was the club who had the loudest voice when it came to outgoings. However, The Telegraph report German boss Tuchel will now have the greater influence on arrivals and departures in his squad, starting from this summer.
Thomas Tuchel will reportedly be handed the reins to direct Chelsea’s transfer business
Todd Boehly has shifted the club’s policy by handing Tuchel the loudest voice on business
The report adds Tuchel will continue to work in tandem with sporting director Marina Granovskaia and technical and performance advisor Petr Cech, only now they will instead be focused on delivering on the players the manager recommends.
The system introduced by Boehly – who is set to hand Tuchel a £200million transfer budget to strengthen his squad after completing a £4.25bn takeover – aligns itself with those of the two teams who finished ahead of the Blues in the Premier League last season in Manchester City and Liverpool.
Both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have had the most say on decisions in transfer windows at their respective clubs for a long time.
The former was instrumental in Man City parting ways with respected club servants Joe Hart and Yaya Toure, while Tuchel’s compatriot Klopp sold striker Christian Benteke just 12 months after his £32.5m arrival at Anfield.
It mirrors the power Jurgen Klopp (L) and Pep Guardiola (R) have at Liverpool and Man City
Tuchel will continue to work with both Marina Granovskaia (centre left), and Petr Cech (centre right)
And there could be similarly huge decisions for Tuchel to make this summer, with reports claiming Boehly will speak with Tuchel on either Wednesday or Thursday of this week to verify Romelu Lukaku’s temporary departure from Stamford Bridge.
Sportsmail understands Lukaku is open to taking a pay cut of £3m a year to help seal a return on loan to last season’s runners-up in Serie A, following a dismal first season back in the Premier League after his £97.5m move from Inter.
The 29-year-old striker has four years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge but he has made it clear he would be interested in returning to Serie A to play for his former side.
Tuchel will therefore likely get his way with regards to incomings too, and as a result Ousmane Dembele’s injury issues and inconsistent form at Barcelona could be put to the side if the German wants to reunite with the player he managed at Borussia Dortmund.
It could prove to be good news for Romelu Lukaku, who wants a return to Inter Milan
Tuchel could also move for Ousmane Dembele (L) and Matthijs de Ligt (R) this summer
The French winger is out of contract this summer, meaning the Blues could sign him on a free if he fails to agree a new deal with the Catalan giants, especially with Paris Saint-Germain now reportedly out of the race.
However, The Telegraph claim Chelsea are not close to signing the 25-year-old France international and are still scouring the market, with City and England forward Raheem Sterling and RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku also on their list.
Sportsmail revealed last month Chelsea will seek to fix their leaky defence during this window and the report claims Boehly is ready to fund a move for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt if Tuchel prefers him to Josko Gvardiol.
The Blues have also been linked with Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, with the club in need of centre-backs following Antonio Rudiger’s departure for Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen expected to follow to Barcelona.
Meanwhile, the same outlet claims in midfield West Ham star Declan Rice’s return to Stamford Bridge cannot be ruled out despite his £150m price tag.
