Tuchel admits ‘need’ for more Chelsea signings, but stern ‘no excuses’ warning to stars paints different picture

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has said that he will happily accept no more signings this summer but urged his club to try to get more deals over the line.

The Blues headed into the final week of the transfer window after a mixed start to the Premier League season. They picked up their second win of the campaign against Leicester, aided by new signing Raheem Sterling.

Indeed, the England winger scored both his side’s goals in a 2-1 win over the Foxes at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are close to signing centre-back Wesley Fofana from Leicester. He is the third defensive addition after Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella.

But there is a clamour for more goalscorers. Reports have talked of interest in Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and while that interest has cooled, the transfer desire is clear.

And speaking in a press conference on Monday, Tuchel revealed his desire for more signings.

“Right now, I think we could need some more players in some positions, but it’s very close to the end of the transfer window, and when September 1 comes, I will be a happy coach no matter what happens,” the German said.

“I will try to find solutions and not think about what might have happened or what could be.

“Everything that matters is reality, and at the moment [against Leicester], what mattered was finding a way to win.

“What will matter at Southampton is the same, find a way to win, step up individually and push the team from my side. This is what we will do no matter if players will come or not.”

Tuchel warns no Chelsea excuses

In a nod to the ongoing uncertainty over some current Chelsea’s players, Tuchel said contrastingly that he cannot wait for Thursday’s transfer deadline.

After Timo Werner’s departure, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Ethan Ampadu and others could yet go too. Elsewhere, Callum Hudson-Odoi is closing in on a loan move to Bayer Leverkusen.

Pressed on talks with those players, Tuchel said: “We do, but it’s maybe human when there is a transfer window.

“They are not only with us at Cobham. When they leave the building, they have their phone on, and they will get calls, think about their future, their next step, and there is a World Cup coming that everyone talks and thinks about.

“At the moment, I accept it’s like this. But from September 1, there are no more excuses and no more distractions.

“I am very, very happy when the transfer window is over because then we have different leverage to push players, and then the commitment has to be 100 per cent, we will not accept 99 per cent.

“The reality is that sometimes, in the last days of the window, you have to simply accept it no matter what you wish for. It’s the reality.”

Chelsea face Southampton on Tuesday and Tuchel labelled it a headache to have only two senior midfielders fit. N’Golo Kante is injured, while Conor Gallagher is suspended. Mateo Kovacic, meanwhile, is likely to start from the bench after his own fitness problems.

Blues set for crucial few days

Chelsea are looking for another goalscorer before the window shuts, but it is unclear if they will get one.

Interest in Aubameyang has cooled because of concerns over wages – and Barca’s £25million transfer valuation.

The Blues of course had Romelu Lukaku last season but after his downturn in form, Kai Havertz stepped up.

But the lack of Lukaku as an option at the least has created this concern for Tuchel up front.

Havertz is yet to score this season, while their wide men – Sterling aside – have also not contributed. In fact, Reece James, a Jorginho penalty and Kalidou Koulibaly have been Chelsea’s other contributors this campaign.