Thomas Tuchel has discussed Chelsea’s need for new signings and potential outgoings before the transfer window’s closure.
Chelsea have been active in the window following the takeover led by Todd Boehly, with the west Londoners having made six new signings including deals for Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Blues are targeting more additions however, having seen two bids for Wesley Fofana turned down by Leicester.
Tuchel insists there are always possibilities for further signings while the window remains open, but insists his focus is on the current squad ahead of this weekend’s clash with Leeds.
“As long as the transfer window is open, there are always possibilities. The focus is on what we have, not what we could have,” Tuchel told his pre-match press conference.
Exits are also expected before the deadline, with Marcos Alonso and Michy Batshuayi among those linked with leaving the club. Tuchel refused to comment on speculation however, and insists Chelsea will need a large squad given the demands of the campaign.
“We will not comment on our players and we will not encourage our players to go out at the moment,” he said.
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๐ต Broja – "๐๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฌ"๐ Thomas Tuchel updates on the fitness of the Chelsea squad pic.twitter.com/e6WKMHNRtN
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“We had a couple of training sessions with 18 players, with one game a week this isn’t a problem. But if you look what is coming, we will need a lot of players, a lot of quality players, to be competitive.”
Tuchel reiterated his happiness with the current squad, but suggested further additions will be required if Chelsea are to compete on all fronts this season – the club seemingly in need of a new striker following the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.
“I believe we can compete with this group, but it’s one thing to compete once a week and it’s another to compete 60 times a year and three times a week.
“You need to have players who challenge for their place and challenge for their minutes. It does not come down only to tactics and team spirit, it’s also about the depth in the squad and the challenge.”
Asked if Armando Broja – who has returned from a loan spell at Southampton – could be the club’s first choice number nine, Tuchel said: “Yes and no. We know enough about him but it’s one thing to perform on a loan and another to perform at a club like Chelsea.
“He was injured in pre-season and now injured again, this does not help us have a clear view on what he can give us. I think it’s a huge chance for Armando to have an impact at Chelsea.”
