Thomas Tuchel makes big admission over Cesar Azpilicueta’s Barcelona links with the Chelsea skipper said to be a priority target for the Catalan giants this summer.
The Spain international has been wanted by the Barca head coach Xavi since the turn of the year and there had been strong rumours that the Camp Nou outfit were nearing an agreement to land Azpilicueta’s signature.
Chelsea, however, have appeared to be reluctant on parting ways with a third senior centre-back in the summer window after losing both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, the latter of whom signed for Barcelona on a free transfer.
Despite signing Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli earlier this month, Chelsea remain starved of quality options in the centre-back role even as the west Londoners make progress in talks to bring long-standing target Jules Kounde to Stamford Bridge.
When quizzed upon Azpilicueta’s future ( via Sky Sports) at the club beyond the summer, Tuchel admitted to being a “little bit” annoyed over Barcelona’s relentless pursuit of the 32-year-old who has just 12 months left on his current terms in the Chelsea shirt.
“It’s a tough question because I am not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants.
“At some point it is about what we want. I just made the comparison about how much we fought for Koulibaly, who is a national team player and roughly the same age.
“We don’t think so much about other clubs. The focus is on us and what we need. I said that to him and I say it to you that I understand on a personal and a career level. But I am not only in this role to give him what he wants. I am a manager for Chelsea who wants to do what’s best for Chelsea.
“He doesn’t like it but he understands. It is tough for him because the other club is permanently on him. On September 1 when things calm down, then he can play on his highest level.”
