Tuchel unsure of Jules Kounde signing as he admits Azpilicueta is ‘unhappy’ at Chelsea
Tuchel unsure of Jules Kounde signing as he admits Azpilicueta is ‘unhappy’ at Chelsea after being denied Barcelona transfer.
Chelsea boss Tuchel admits captain Azpilicueta ‘not happy’ after being denied Barcelona transfer amid Kounde uncertainty
Chelsea had agreed a £55million deal for Sevilla defender Kounde.
However, the defender later surprisingly turned up at his Spanish club’s pre-season camp.
Asked about Kounde’s situation, Tuchel said: “I’ll not give an update because you can never be sure in the transfer period.”
Captain Azpilicueta will have to wait until Kounde, 23, completes a transfer to Chelsea before making his desired move to Barca.
The 32-year-old is awaiting Tuchel’s approval to extend his contract, which runs through 2023.
Azpilicueta has not yet spoken on their preseason tour of America, but he might play in the final match against Arsenal in Orlando.
Tuchel explained: “I am not sure I want to give Azpi what he wants. He understands it but he does not like it.
“At some point, it is also about us and just make the comparison of how much we fought for Kalidou Koulibaly.
“He is a national player, he is the similar age as Azpi, a hugely important player.
“But we also have a Spanish international player, captain for Chelsea and I see it on the same level but Barcelona does not see it on that level.
“I don’t think so much about other clubs as I think about us. The full focus is on us and what we need and what we have in Azpi.
“I said to him many times that I can understand him on a personal level and career level. I can understand his point of view.
“But I am not only in this role to give him what he wants but I am also the manager for Chelsea and have to do what is best for Chelsea.”
On whether this may affect Azpilicueta’s motivation, Tuchel replied: “Maybe now a bit tough because the other club is on him, permanently on him and causes distraction.
“But on the 1st of September, normally when things calm down and things are clear, I’m very convinced he could play on his highest level.”
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