Thomas Tuchel has broken his silence on Chelsea’s rumoured interest in Wesley Fofana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Blues have been linked with bringing in reinforcements in both defence and attack, with weeks left in the summer transfer window.
Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku have departed during the transfer window in attack, while Chelsea lost both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen when their contracts expired earlier this summer.
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Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella have all arrived at Stamford Bridge and made their debuts for the Blues, with it expected that Tuchel will look to add to his squad further before the end of the window.
Fofana, Frenkie de Jong and Aubameyang have all been heavily linked with making the switch to Tuchel’s side this summer.
Barcelona are looking to offload players in order to register their incomings, with Chelsea looking to take advantage of their financial situation.
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Leicester, on the other hand, are holding firm in their desire to keep Fofana at the club despite Chelsea making two bids for the 21-year-old.
It remains to be seen as to whether the Blues will return with a third bid to test Leicester’s resolve as they look to improve their squad.
Speaking on Fofana and Aubameyang, Tuchel discussed the potential signings despite remaining coy on any transfer dealings.
When asked about Fofana, Tuchel refused to comment before admitting that his side are looking to add a central defender.
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“I will not comment. No matter how good your question may be, I will not comment,” he began.
“We could use one more central defender. If you look at the numbers and we play with a back three. The profile of the guys in the three is a little bit different, I admit.
"Playing with Azpi, more a fullback than central defender. Cucurella it’s possible.
“Both of them cannot play as central defenders. We could use one more central defender. Let’s see what happens.”
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The German was then asked about an interest in bringing in an attacker following Werner’s return to RB Leipzig, which he replied with: “I think we could use and strengthen our squad in depth and strength in both. It’s one thing what you wish for and another what is possible. It needs to be possible.
“We are looking for top quality, top personalities, good characters and competitors on the highest levels. You don’t always get what you wish for and that’s why we are calm and ambitious at the same time.
“Quite some days to go until the end of the transfer period. Everything is possible until the end.”
Tuchel then hinted at a move for Aubameyang, praising his former Borussia Dortmund player after being asked about their working relationship.
He continued: “I enjoyed a lot working with him, was a pleasure.
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“Some players stay your players because you work very very close, Auba is one of these players. We had a very close relationship. Always when we played him here with Arsenal, there was always straight away this close bond. They always stay your players in a way, Auba is one of these guys.
“No (concerns about discipline) because I experienced none of this. This is nothing to do with the situation in Arsenal which I will also not comment out of respect.
“It’s not on me to comment, I don’t know what happened. In Dortmund there was never an issue.”
Tuchel finalised by refusing to comment further on speculation that Chelsea are set to make a move for the Gabon international.
“I don’t follow the press about Pierre. Don’t be offended, I don’t follow the press so much!” he admitted. “I don’t know if he has a bad press or good press. I cannot care less. It’s not important.
“Nice try but we don’t talk any further! I was very polite to talk about my time in Dortmund but we don’t talk about a future with players that are not here.
“The future is in the next training tomorrow morning with all the players here in the dressing room. This is where the energy goes.”
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Wesley Fofana, Thomas Tuchel, Football, Transfers
Nick Emms