Chelsea manager Tuchel: I'm up for challenge of catching Liverpool, Man City | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel insists he is up to the challenge of closing the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Blues have finished third in the Premier League in a season mired in controversy due to sanctions placed on owner Roman Abramovich.

But Tuchel isn't shirking from the challenge and is looking forward to working under prospective owner Todd Boehly.

He said: "Players are going out. We are rebuilding - not improving the squad - we are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge. 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.

"It will be very challenging to make up for the disadvantage, given the situation of the other two teams - City and Liverpool - who are already improving the squad and set one benchmark after the other in all aspects of the game.

"Things are not easier for us. Normally at this time of the season you are contacting players, you are out, you get a feeling, a read, you have discussions, you have dialogue, you have feedback, you know who is committed, you find your targets, or you sign your players or you go from there to the next step."