Thomas Tuchel has given his ideas on Chelsea’ present switch hyperlinks with Wesley Fofana and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, however admitted Chelsea want defensive assist.
The Blues boss was speaking forward of his aspect’s derby with Tottenham on Sunday, after a turbulent summer season through which he has misplaced quite a lot of first crew regulars.
The London aspect have spent an estimated £148million on 5 new gamers, however have seen key departures of their again line.
Centre-backs Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger have left together with forwards Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku, whereas Kalidou Koulibaly is the one arrival in defence.
Chelsea have been strongly linked with a giant cash transfer for Leicester’s Fofana to fill the hole, however Tuchel refused to touch upon the participant, solely the place.
When Fofana’s identify got here up Tuchel interrupted the reporter to jokingly say: “We will shorten this, I cannot remark. Regardless of how good your query could also be, I cannot remark.”
He then added: “We might use yet one more central defender; if you happen to have a look at the numbers and that we play with a back-three. The profile of the blokes within the three is slightly bit totally different, I admit.
“We will play with Azpi [Cesar Azpilicueta], who’s extra a full-back than a central defender. [Marc] Cucurella, it’s potential too. Each of them can’t play as the center central defender. So we might use yet one more central defender. Let’s see what occurs.
“I believe we might use and strengthen our squad in depth and energy. Nevertheless it’s one factor that you just want for and one other that’s potential. It must be potential.
“We’re searching for top of the range, high personalities, good characters and opponents on the best ranges. You don’t all the time get what you would like for, and that’s why we’re calm and bold on the similar time. There are fairly some days to go till the tip of the switch interval. All the pieces is feasible till the tip.”
Not solely are Chelsea gentle on the again, but in addition upfront, having despatched file signing Lukaku again to Inter Milan initially of the window, earlier than permitting Werner to rejoin Leipzig.
Former Arsenal captain and present Barcelona striker Aubameyang has been linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge, and has beforehand performed beneath Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund.
The German coach refused to touch upon hyperlinks with a striker who scored 79 objectives in 95 video games for him, however was comfortable to speak concerning the participant himself.
“I loved rather a lot working with him, It was a pleasure,” Tuchel mentioned. “This has nothing to do with the scenario now, however gamers keep your gamers since you work very, very shut. Auba is one among these gamers.
“We had a really shut relationship. At all times once we performed him right here with Arsenal, there was all the time immediately this shut bond. They all the time keep your gamers in a means, Auba is one among these guys.”
The 48-year-old was then requested about Aubameyang off the pitch, given he has been one of many storylines of the brand new documentary sequence ‘All or Nothing: Arsenal’.
A brand new episode has targeted on him being stripped of the Gunners’ captaincy by Mikel Arteta for disciplinary causes, Tuchel although, by no means had such issues.
“No considerations as a result of I skilled none of this,” he mentioned. “That is nothing to do with the scenario in Arsenal, which I will even not touch upon out of respect.
“It’s not on me to remark, and I don’t know what occurred. In Dortmund, there was by no means a problem.
“I don’t comply with the press about Pierre. Don’t be offended. I don’t comply with the press very a lot. I don’t know if he has unhealthy press or good press. I can’t care much less. It’s not essential. Good strive, however we don’t speak any additional.
“I used to be very well mannered to speak about my time in Dortmund, however we don’t discuss a future with gamers that aren’t right here. The longer term is within the subsequent coaching tomorrow morning with all of the gamers right here within the dressing room. That is the place the power goes.”
Tuchel then went on to debate the switch window as a complete.
“It’s what it’s,” he mentioned. “We won’t panic, and we won’t do issues [for the sake of it].
“We won’t attempt to signal gamers that we’re not 100 per cent satisfied. All signings to this point are incredible signings that assist us.
“To be very trustworthy, it’s day-by-day enterprise now to educate the crew which is right here and never lose your head as a coach about what may very well be.
“What sense does it make if I lose my head within the workplace and take into consideration gamers that aren’t right here?
“We’re formidable and work onerous to strengthen our squad additional, however we’re calm, all of the power and ambition goes into the group that’s right here. We nonetheless have time.”
