Thomas Tuchel says he is ‘satisfied’ with Chelsea’s January transfer window and insists he had no ‘contact’ with Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele over a potential move.
Chelsea failed to bring in new signings during the winter despite speculation linking the club with additions at full-back, though chose to recall Kenedy from his loan spell at Flamengo in a bid to provide his squad with further depth.
The west Londoners were linked with a late move to sign Dembele from Barcelona in the closing stages of the window, with Tuchel having worked alongside the 24-year-old at Borussia Dortmund.
The German insists he had no contact with Dembele regarding a move to the Premier League, however, and insists he is content with Chelsea’s ‘calm’ window.
“I am satisfied because it was a calm window and to be calm was the best thing. We were open for things,” he told his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup clash with Plymouth.
“I did not have contact with Ousmane [Dembele]. There was no contact in winter between us.”
Tuchel admitted his side tried for solutions during the winter window, but reiterated his happiness with his current options as Chelsea look for a successful end to the season.
“We tried and had ideas. But in the end we stick to what we have and are happy,” he said. “Reece [James] will come back at some point, unfortunately not Ben Chilwell, but Reece will come back and compete for a place in the squad.
“Azpi at the moment is in fantastic form and a fantastic place. That is why it’s fine. We try to find solutions in our squad.”
