Tuchel makes no secret of Chelsea transfer hopes after squad appraisal
Thomas Tuchel remains hopeful that Chelsea will add to their squad before the transfer deadline after confirming one player looks to be on his way out.
The Blues spent big to add Romelu Lukaku to their Champions League winning squad earlier this summer. However, it may not be their only significant piece of business. Although time is running out, Chelsea remain very much active in the market.
There could also be departures to facilitate such moves, though. It means head coach Tuchel cannot expect a relaxing end to the transfer window.
That seems to be fine with him, as he confirmed they are hoping to make more additions before the August 31st deadline.
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“Well we are hoping; we still have some ideas and we are trying,” he said of their transfer plans. “And not all decisions are taken regarding also to our squad.
“So there are some negotiations going on and we are aware of all the situations.
“Hoping as in meaning that we need something to make the coach happy or to be competitive? Absolutely not.
“Because I’m happy with the squad as it is, and I have a lot of confidence we are absolutely competitive on a high level.
“But still all eyes are open, and we are aware of all situations and you never know in football.
“But in the moment we are focused on the game tomorrow and there are not many days left to take big decisions. So it’s all good so far.”
Kounde’s potential arrival would be preceded by the sale of Kurt Zouma, whom Tuchel confirmed is close to joining West Ham.
It has been a turbulent time for the centre-back, whose move across London seemed to be on, then off, and now on again.
He has undergone a medical in France ahead of a £25m transfer and Tuchel made no secret of the situation.
“I will be completely honest, there are negotiations between West Ham and Chelsea about Kurt,” said Tuchel.
“Kurt right now is not with us but not because of these negotiations. He’s had some personal and family issues and we allowed him to travel to France.
“There are negotiations but to be very honest I don’t know where that leads right now. Those things can happen at this stage.”
Tuchel previews Liverpool clash
For now, Tuchel must focus on Chelsea’s visit to Liverpool on Saturday in an early test of each side’s title credentials. They each go into the match with two wins out of two from their opening league games.
Liverpool leapfrogged Tuchel’s Chelsea in the last game of the 2020-21 season and it will be a big battle to see who might finish on top this time around.
The Blues boss is not expecting it to be easy – nor definitive for the season.
“Any time you play at Anfield, with spectators against Liverpool, it’s one of the toughest challenges that you can face in European football,” said Tuchel.
“And after that you’re much smarter where you are, what your true capacity and true performance is. So it’s like this tomorrow.
“Liverpool had a good start and we had a good start. And tomorrow we will fight from the first minute to get a good result, but it will be a huge challenge.
“No result will be a decision for the season. But of course we are fighting for it because this is the challenge where you need to prove, but we also want to prove ourselves.”
READ MORE: Predictions: Lukaku lesson for Liverpool
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