Gary Neville raises concerns over Chelsea transfer strategy under new ownership

Chelsea's transfer strategy under the new ownership led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital has been described as "pinball" by Gary Neville.

Boehly took the unusual step of taking charge of transfer negotiations following a raft of high-level resignations and, under his guidance, the Blues have already spent in excess of £160million this summer.

Raheem Sterling was always a key target and a deal was quickly wrapped up before Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella were signed, but the latter two were reportedly not top of Thomas Tuchel's transfer wishlist.

The club missed out on Jules Kounde and long-standing interest in Josko Gvardiol continues to cause frustration and, beyond defensive targets, Raphinha also snubbed them in favour of Barcelona. Wesley Fofana of Leicester City is now a target and reportedly another Tuchel has long admired.

The transfer window is still open for another three weeks and Tuchel is expected to further add to his squad, while others are set to leave, and Neville has raised concerns over a scattergun approach to securing targets.

"So, they were so close last season in difficult circumstances," Neville said on his podcast.

"And I know that Chelsea fans are probably thinking, 'well we've signed Koulibaly, we've signed Sterling, we've signed Cucurella' and they are getting players in, but it just seems a little bit pinball type.

First pictures as Cucurella trains with Chelsea

"Your head is moving like 'where is it going to be next?', you are not quite sure.

"We've just watched a team that are a machine in Man City. Chelsea are not at that phase yet, as you can tell. New ownership, I think it will take a little bit of time to settle down but it was a really good start and good win.

"During these moments, the way you shut people up like me is just to win."