Thomas Tuchel admits he may not grant Cesar Azpilicueta's wish to join Barcelona this summer, even if Chelsea are able to complete a £55million deal for Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde in the coming days.
After 10 years at Stamford Bridge, Azpilicueta is understood to be ready to seek out a new challenge and the 32-year-old has been offered a lucrative two-year contract by Barcelona, who have proved a constant irritant for Chelsea throughout the current transfer window.
However, the La Liga giants have yet to make a suitable approach to Chelsea for Azpilicueta, who was hopeful of leaving for a minimal fee due to his previous service at the club, which includes starring roles in two Premier League title wins, a Champions League triumph, a maiden Club World Cup success, and FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League victories.
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That now appears unlikely to happen – even if Chelsea wrap up a move for Kounde – as Tuchel referenced the £34million fee Chelsea paid to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli when asked about Azpilicueta's future and a potential move to the Camp Nou.
"I’m not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants," Tuchel explained ahead of Chelsea's pre-season friendly against Arsenal in Orlando. "At some point, it’s also about us. We’ve made the comparison with how much we fought for Koulibaly, a national team player, similar age to Azpi, a hugely important player, and captain for Napoli.
"We have a Spanish international player, captain of Chelsea, and I see them maybe at the same level. Barcelona does not see it at the same level so I’m not sure that I want to give Azpi what he wants.
“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."
Tuchel admitted he was "a little bit" annoyed with Barcelona's public pursuit of Azpilicueta, who is still contracted to Chelsea for another year. And while Tuchel accepts the Spaniard may not like the stance taken by the Blues over his future, he believes Azpilicueta understands it.
“It’s maybe now a bit tough because the other club is permanently on him," Tuchel said. "This causes distraction. But latest, on the first of September, when things come down and things are clear, I am very convinced he can play at his highest level.”
Tuchel refused to comment on whether Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Kounde, who is currently training in Portugal with the Sevilla squad. But he did state the Blues are interested in adding a left-footed centre-back to their ranks if possible this summer.
"We are looking of course for guys that can play on the left side," he said. "Toni (Rudiger) played on the left side and was not left footed. Maybe Kalidou can also play there because he plays in a back four on the left side. Let’s see what's possible.
"It is not only about bringing in players for numbers, we also need quality, so we will make some decisions late not only about players but also about systems. Ideally, we would have a left-footer."
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