Thomas Tuchel is hoping to make at least one more addition to his Chelsea squad before the end of the summer transfer window, but will only sign players if they are 100 per cent sure and won’t panic buy.
Chelsea have made five signings so far this summer - three for the current crop: Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella. While two signings have been made with the future in mind, with the arrivals of highly-rated teenagers Gabriel Slonina and Carney Chukwuemeka.
Slonina has returned to Chicago Fire on loan, with the others in the first-team squad for the 2022/23 season.
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Other targets have been eyed and linked with the club. Discussions are ongoing for Wesley Fofana, Frenkie de Jong and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It remains to be seen if Chelsea will complete a deal for any of the trio, but there is still more than two weeks to go for the Blues to finalise more incomings.
Tuchel was clear that another central defender was required and another striker would be welcomed if they were able to get a deal, which benefits the club, over the line.
However, Chelsea won’t compromise in their position. They won’t rush anything, they remain calm, and will only sign players should it suit them.
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The Chelsea head coach told reporters ahead of their Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur: “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 full-back 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.”
“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.
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"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.”
The possibility is there for Chelsea not to make any more signings. Although Tuchel will be disappointed, he will accept whatever the outcome is.
Tuchel wants the Chelsea squad to be packed with quality as they eye to clinch silverware this season. The squad are ambitious and the boss won’t allow the quality to be lowered - he wants quality over quantity, with the perfect mix eyed.
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He added: “It is what it is. We will not panic and we will not do things, we will not try to sign players which we are not 100 per cent convinced. All signings so far are fantastic signings that help us.
"To be very honest it is day by day business now to coach the team which is here and not lose your head as a coach about what could be. What sense does it make if I lose my head in the office and think about players that are not here?
“We are ambitious and work hard to strengthen our squad further but we are calm, all the energy and ambition goes into the group that is here.
"We have still time. Maybe I can answer that question more precisely in September.”
Topics: Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea, Premier League, Football
Matthew Debono