Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that “talks” have been held over a new contract at Chelsea with the German having now entered the final two years of his current Stamford Bridge deal.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain schemer arrived at Stamford Bridge in January 2021 as Frank Lampard’s replacement and enjoyed an immediate impact at the club having lifted the Champions League title and claimed a place in the Premier League top four at the end of the 2020/21 season.
He was immediately rewarded with a new and improved contract in West London and then continued to scoop up silverware with the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup titles despite a title challenge somewhat failing to materialise.
With now less than two years left to run on Tuchel’s deal, he has confirmed that early discussions have taken place over an extended stay at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of this weekend’s clash with Leeds United at Elland Road, he said: “There are talks but I think given the situation where we come from, and where we are in the middle of the transfer period, I think it is the very best if I focus on my team and on sports and on being competitive.
“My people talk to the owners and take care of everything else. You know how glad I am to be here and how much I like it. So it’s a good thing.”
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Whilst Tuchel’s reign at Stamford Bridge has thus far been largely positive, he has been involved in a coupe of sour incidents - the most recent being the altercation with Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte in the aftermath of the sides’ tempestuous 2-2 draw.
The FA have slapped the Chelsea boss with a suspended one-match touchline ban, whilst he has also been ordered to pay a fine of £35,000.
He has suggested that he was disappointed with the punishment given the flashpoints taking place on the pitch rather than off of it throughout the game. “It is a bit harder to accept given the context that two minutes before somebody on our team got pulled by the hair,” Tuchel said.
“If we both pulled our hair maybe we would have got away with it. For a handshake suddenly it is a red card, it was after the match and it was more passion than anything else but I accepted the charge.
“I hope like Antonio that I can be on the side-line, let’s see what happens. In general, we don’t have a history of being involved in arguments. Together we have played three or four times against each other, we had zero issues before and it just got heated up with the equaliser, 1-1 so the last 20 minutes were a bit emotional between the benches which is sometimes maybe also normal and acceptable in a derby like this.
“But I will be prepared of course. As I understand it there is a high possibility that I can travel with the team, go to the dressing room, be there in half time so I’m not always sure if everybody hears me on the side-line so maybe the impact is not bad.”
