The commanding centre-back arrived in Leicester with big expectations on his shoulders, having already featured in the heart of Bulgaria's defence internationally. He didn't disappoint, putting in some impressive performances before seeing his 2008-09 campaign cut short by a knee injury sustained in an FA Cup third round tie at Crystal Palace. Unfortunately, problems with his knee blighted his career with the Foxes and after he returned to pre-season training in 2009 and suffered more woe with another knee injury which ruled him our for the majority of the 2009-10 campaign.

Tunchev was always an imposing figure when he did start for City, leading his defence in impressive fashion, but, frustratingly, injuries took their toll. Again, he returned to pre-season training with City in the summer of 2011 with the hope of getting his career back on track. Eager for regular first team action, he joined Crystal Palace for the start of the 2011-12 campaign and enjoyed a good run of matches, helping Palace to the play-off positions in the Championship in the first few months of the season. But Palace couldn't extend the loan deal beyond the 93 days due to league rules, although Eagles manager Dougie Freedman didn't rule out taking the Bulgarian back to the club in January.