Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has expressed his dismay over Barcelona’s bid to sign Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta
The 32-year-old has 12 months left in his current contract with Chelsea, and Barcelona is seeking to sign him after his presence for nearly a decade with the Blues
Tuchel believes that Barcelona underestimates Azpilicueta, unlike what Chelsea did when they signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Naples for 33 million pounds
“I’m a little upset, I don’t know if I want to give Azpilicueta what he wants, it’s about what we want,” Tuchel said, according to what was reported by “Sky Sports.”
He added: “He is a very important player for Napoli, but we have a Spanish international captain for Chelsea, I see him almost at the same level, but Barcelona does not see that he is at the same level, and therefore I am not sure that I want to provide what Azpilicueta wants, he is a great player”
He added: “We don’t think too much about other clubs, we focus on ourselves and what we need. I told him and I tell you that I understand his desire from a personal perspective and at the level of his career, but I am not in a place to give him what he wants. I am the Chelsea coach and I want to do better for Chelsea”
He continued: “He did not like it, but he understands, it is difficult for him to have the other club permanently with him. On September 1, things will calm down, and then he will play at the highest level again”
He concluded: “I understand his wishes, concerns and thoughts about his career and personal life, but he remains our leader and a legend, and I see no reason as a coach to leave all his strengths”
