Tuchel worked out how to get the best from Neymar and his amazing stats prove it

Neymar is one of world football’s most recognisable stars and could be prepared to part ways with Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Reports have suggested the £200m signing is not wanted by the French champions as they begin a new era with Kylian Mbappe the star man – and Chelsea have been linked with a move, according to reports in Spain.

For the 30-year-old, it could be a case of looking to past successes in order to reignite his career.

Neymar worked under Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel during his time in Paris and reached the Champions League final.

Taking over in 2018, the two worked well together and the player certainly showed his best form.

Things have stalled for Neymar at the Parc Des Princes with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe regarded as the club’s talisman figures.

In charge for 18 months, Neymar played 67 matches under Tuchel scoring an impressive 51 goals.

In addition to that, he also recorded 32 assists, taking his goal involvement tally to 83 in that time.

Speaking to the Guardian in 2019, Tuchel said: “Neymar has a good heart, sometimes it’s a bit hard to see that he is a nice person when you only watch him play from outside. But he is, he’s a nice guy.

“I told him: ‘You think the hardest part is over but from now on you have to deal with me and I’m going to push you hard. So the hardest thing is still to come for you.’”

And defender Thiago Silva would like to be reunited, too.

“He has to go to Chelsea,” he told reporters in Brazil.

“If it happens, it will be for the best. He needs no comments. And on top of that, he’s a super friend.

“So far, I don’t know anything, but I hope it comes to fruition.”

However, Chelsea appear to be targeting Leeds’ Raphinha and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling to bolster their attack.

“I think Raheem Sterling will be a Chelsea player in the not-too-distant future, making that move from Man City,” talkSPORT’s Alex Crook said. “They’re in for Nathan Ake too, another of Pep Guardiola’s title winners.  

“We know that they’re keen on Matthijs de Ligt, and now this Raphinha deal has almost come from out the blue. They’ve come in on the blind side, they’ve hijacked the Arsenal deal.”