Roy Keane has given Thomas Tuchel his backing to turn things around at the helm for Chelsea

Roy Keane backs ‘top quality’ Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel to turn things around after their shaky pre-season tour of the US… as the Sky pundit insists he’d ‘be amazed’ if the German isn’t at Stamford Bridge at Christmas

  • Roy Keane is backing Thomas Tuchel to remain at Chelsea amid ongoing issues
  • He admits he would be amazed if Tuchel was not still in charge at Christmas 
  • The Blues have enjoyed a relatively poor pre-season despite making signings
  • They have bolstered their ranks with Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly
  • Butthey could miss out on main target Jules Kounde with Barcelona interested

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has given Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel his backing to negotiate the rest of the club’s pre-season tour of the US. 

Keane believes that Tuchel’s quality will be enough to help Chelsea improve ahead of their Premier League opener to Everton, and he thinks the German will be able to add to the signings of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Blues’ tour has been largely inconsistent. Having beaten Mexican side Club America 2-1, they went on to lose on penalties to MLS franchise Charlotte FC before an embarrassing 4-0 thumping from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. 

Roy Keane has given Thomas Tuchel his backing to turn things around at the helm for Chelsea

Roy Keane has given Thomas Tuchel his backing to turn things around at the helm for Chelsea

Keane told Sky Bet: ‘There has obviously been loads of uncertainty over the club the last few months, that has been sorted out now obviously with the new ownership coming in.

Keane's comments come after the Blues have struggled at times in pre-season

Keane’s comments come after the Blues have struggled at times in pre-season

‘I’m pretty sure again he will be able to bring some players in. He is a top quality manager, he has dealt with a lot of issues over the last few months.

‘Ultimately it was a disappointing end to the season for them. But he is a top quality manager and I think the owners will back him. I’d be amazed if he is not there at Christmas.’

Despite a less than impressive pre-season campaign, the Blues have been able to bolster their ranks with the procurement of Sterling and Koulibaly, but they have found their efforts stymied by Barcelona at times. 

The club had appeared to be in pole position to sign Raphinha, before the Catalan giants pipped them to the post, and it would appear they are set to do so again for Jules Kounde. 

In a dramatic turn of events, Barca seem to have hijacked the transfer and moved to the front of the queue for the Frenchman’s signature, and are prepared to match the money Chelsea are offering.

The Blues could miss out on long-term target Sevilla defender Jules Kounde to Barcelona

The Blues could miss out on long-term target Sevilla defender Jules Kounde to Barcelona

Kounde has emerged as a priority target for both sides, and with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departing the club this summer, he could be the decisive piece of the puzzle if Tuchel is to compete for the Premier League title.

The Blues have not won a league title in five seasons, and of late Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have transformed the division into more of a two-horse race between Liverpool and Manchester City. 

But the Irish midfielder is confident Tuchel is the man to lead Chelsea for the near future, and gave his backing to the German manager to add to his growing trophy haul in west London, adding the UEFA Supercup and Club World Cup in 2021-22.  

Despite winning the 2021 Champions League Chelsea have not won the Premier League since the 2016-17 season.

Despite winning the 2021 Champions League Chelsea have not won the Premier League since the 2016-17 season.

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