Thomas Tuchel's Stance On Jules Kounde Transfer Revealed As Blues Pursue Matthijs De Ligt

Jules Kounde was seen as a ‘club target’ for Chelsea as Marina Granovskaia was pushing for a move for the Sevilla defender, according to reports.

The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer. 

Last summer saw Thomas Tuchel’s side miss out on Kounde, with the head coach confirming their interest.

He said: “It was clear we tried for Kounde and Saul and it was very, very late but it was a very, very smooth transfer window because I had full concentration on training and on my team.

"The amount of support of Petr Cech as a link, and together with Marina (Granovskaia), was fantastic, so it was pretty relaxed with a good outcome because in the end it was possible to add Saul into the group, which was a key position for us to have more alternatives and to not put all the pressure on the three guys' shoulders.”

However, Granovskaia has since left her role at the club as Todd Boehly was named interim sporting director.

Sevilla were believed to be waiting for the structural changes at Stamford Bridge to reopen negotiations with Chelsea over Kounde.

However, with Granovskaia’s departure a move could be thrown into doubt.

Nathan Gissing reports that Kounde is seen as more of a ‘club target’ as Granovskaia was pushing for the move.

Therefore, it is unclear as to whether Chelsea will push ahead for the French international this summer.

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt.

The reports have stated that Tuchel’s side are willing to offer Timo Werner in a player-plus-cash deal for de Ligt. 

Following de Ligt’s contract talks with Juventus in recent days, Chelsea have stepped up their interest in the 22-year-old who has a €120 million release clause.

Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt. (Alamy)

With both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departing, Chelsea are in need of more than one central defender this summer.

Levi Colwill and Ethan Ampadu are set to return from their loan spells.

The pair will look to impress Tuchel and earn their place in the Chelsea squad ahead of the new season, like Trevoh Chalobah did last season.

Defence is seen as an area that the Blues are keen to improve on this summer.

"The key is to basically work with Tuchel to come up with the best players that are available,” a senior source told The Telegraph this week.

"We really want to make sure we have a good defence. We've got depth in midfield. We're not desperate for an out-and-out striker.

“Fortunately, there's reasonable opportunities in the market right now in order to satisfy the fans' desire to be competitive.”