‘In talks’ – Tuchel updates Chelsea transfer plans; tells squad man to take chance
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that discussions are underway with various Chelsea departments over the chance to strengthen their side in the January transfer window.
Reinforcements in the winter window could be useful for a Chelsea side looking to become consistent again. They were top of the Premier League from the start of October to the start of December. But their form has tailed off recently.
Despite a lack of defeats still, Chelsea have slipped to second in the table. They are now 10 points behind an in-form Manchester City.
Chelsea spent heavily in the past two summer transfer windows. Now, they have the chance to reinforce their squad in the January session.
Finding new full-backs may be beneficial since Ben Chilwell and Reece James are injured. Furthermore, they may consider new centre-backs in view of certain expiring contracts.
Tuchel has not given away anything about where they may be looking. But he has confirmed at a press conference that plans are underway.
He said: “We are discussing and are in talks with the board and the scouting. We are checking the possibilities, as we always do.
“We are looking into the market and the possibilities. Not under the highest pressure but things have to make sense for us.”
As stated, Chelsea could be looking to strengthen on the left-hand side of defence in particular. With Chilwell out with an ACL injury, they have been linked with a move for unsettled Everton ace Lucas Digne.
A simpler solution may be to bring Emerson Palmieri back from his loan with Lyon, if possible. But Tuchel would not confirm whether that is an option or not, despite his admiration of the Italy international.
He replied: “I will not give you any details but I will not hide from the fact we have a long-term injury with Ben Chilwell. Of course, we know and appreciate Emi as a player and a person in general.”
Tuchel looks ahead to Chesterfield clash
Chelsea may also have to think about player exits in the winter window. Some squad members are not getting the opportunities they would want.
Tuchel has vowed to give minutes to some of them in their FA Cup third-round clash with Chesterfield on Saturday.
One of those who could come in is midfielder Ross Barkley, who has only started one Premier League game this season. But Tuchel said it is up to the player to determine his future.
He said: “It depends on what Ross wants and what the possibilities are. There is always a chance, not just because it is the FA Cup, for you to make the chance onto the pitch.”
Despite having the chance to rotate, Tuchel will field a recognisable lineup out of respect to the opponents. He named Timo Werner as one player who could use the gametime.
Overall, he provided injury updates on a few of his players.
Tuchel confirmed: “The long-term injuries will not come back but [Cesar] Azpi[licueta] just had a cramp. Kai [Havertz]’s finger is pretty much ok to play football, our doctors will take care of it. Andreas Christensen was in training yesterday and hopefully there will be no reaction.
“We will have another training session later and hopefully the situation stays like this in the moment because that will give us some more options.
“Thiago [Silva] and N’Golo [Kante] are ok in terms of symptoms but they are out. Nobody else yet.”
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