Tuchel might have been forced, makes January transfer u-turn claim
Thomas Tuchel, has made a transfer u-turn, hinting that he may look to bring in some reinforcements this month as cover.
This is followed by the sideline of left-back Ben Chilwell for the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury and Reece James, currently on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.
Speaking at a news conference before the 5-1 FA Cup win over Chesterfield, Tuchel said: “We are in talks with the staff and the board and the scouting, checking possibilities which we would always do. Given the fact we have some long-term injuries, we are looking into the market, but not under the very highest pressure.
“Things have to make sense for us personality wise and position wise, and also quality wise. We have options and we will check them.
Tuchel continued: “If we play in the back-five, it’s [Cesar Azpilicueta], if we play a back-four and the need is maybe a bit more defensive full-back with different characteristics to protect the offensive players, it is also Azpi. Maybe it could be Trevoh Chalobah but he is out with injury.
“So you lose options not only personnel-wise but also in tactics and formation. That’s why we look into the market and we check our options but in the end it needs to make sense, it’s not only pure numbers. It’s needs to be a good mix of high quality, high-level attitude and character.
“If we had a full squad I would love to say we do nothing [in the transfer market] because we’re only happy, but we have this issue and that’s why we look into what’s possible.”