Why am angry at Barcelona – Tuchel finally reveals after latest transfer decisions
The future of Cesar Azpilicueta is in doubt as Chelsea is on the verge of defeating Barcelona for Jules Kounde. The Chelsea captain has been sought after by the Catalans for months, but Thomas Tuchel has been hesitant to sanction his transfer.
However, Speaking at a press conference in Orlando, the boss explained his thinking.
“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,” Tuchel said as quoted by the Evening Standard.
“I just made the comparison about how much we fought for [Kalidou] Koulibaly, who is a national team player and roughly the same age. He is a hugely important player for Napoli but we have a Spanish international who is the captain at Chelsea.
“I see him maybe at the same level but Barcelona don’t see him on that level. So I am not sure if I want to give him what he wants as he is a huge player.
“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.”
Furthermore, Tuchel was then asked if he was annoyed at Barcelona’s aggressive attempts to sign his captain for months.
The German said: “Maybe a little bit.”
In fairness, Chelsea have a lot of reasons to be annoyed at Barcelona. The Catalans turned Raphinha‘s head after the Blues agreed a deal with Leeds. They’ve also made the Kounde race so unnecessarily protracted.
Now, Chelsea might have to deal with the La Liga side as Azpilicueta’s preference is to join the latter, with a two-year contract verbally agreed.