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The Blues coach addressed possible summer signings with his club entering the final weeks of the season
Although Chelsea has been linked with Erling Haaland, Sergio Aguero and a host of defensive talents in recent weeks, Thomas Tuchel insists he won’t push for a major overhaul in the summer.
Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as Blues manager in January, after which the Blues managed to achieve a record 14 undefeated games in all competitions.
Even though that streak has given Chelsea a chance to win the silver medal and finish in the top four again, some thoughts have already turned to the summer transfer window. However, Tuchel has urged caution ahead of the summer market opening.
What was said?
“Honestly, if we have a transfer ban tomorrow, I would be a happy coach next season,” Tuchel told reporters. “So we can take this team to the next limit and level, like we do. But I have ideas, of course, I have ideas how to improve this team maybe.
“It’s very, very difficult because, first of all, we have a very strong group with a strong bond, which means we need great characters. That’s the most important thing because we have the best guys in the locker room, and I will.” Don’t let anyone screw that up and have a bad influence there.
“It’s not like a puzzle where you take out one piece and put the next one in. It’s a complex situation, all transfer markets. So I’m absolutely calm at the moment because of course we have some ideas, some profiles, maybe what we think we could add to this group to make maybe even a little more competitive, more options.
“It is another strange situation with the global pandemic. It is necessary that we as a club have to adapt and be patient. Is there even a market? How does it look? What can we invest in? Are there possibilities of generating money? Is there interest in our players?
“Do other clubs have the ability to buy players from us? Can we buy and want? So the situation is not clear and for me it is better to be patient and I agree with the club that I should not lose my mind.”
What about the contractual situations of current Chelsea players?
The Blues have looked to sign defenders such as Bayern Munich duo David Alaba and Niklas Sule, with uncertainty surrounding the contract situations of several of their own players on the baseline.
Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva have contracts that will expire in the next 15 months. In Silva’s case, his contract expires in three months, but the club has an option for one more year.
The 36-year-old Brazilian’s recent thigh injury has not changed Tuchel’s mind about activating the option in the coming months.
“You don’t have to prove anything to me.” “I know him. He was my captain in Paris and he is an outstanding professional player. The first in training camp, the last to leave. He takes care of himself at home. I know what he is doing to stay fit.
“His age doesn’t play the most important role in my opinion because he could easily be 28 or 29 years old. He worries a lot about being able to play at this kind of level. I think it was very brave to take this step at the end of his career, to take a step towards Chelsea at this stage in the career where some players take it a bit in stride.
“Once he gives the green light, as a coach, you can be absolutely sure it is the green light. He is ready for tomorrow and I expect nothing less than a superior performance.”
