Tuchel wants Lampard targets as Chelsea enlist help to flog costly star

Thomas Tuchel Chelsea boss

Thomas Tuchel has reportedly made just two transfer demands of Chelsea this summer – and will reportedly ask for the same reinforcements that Frank Lampard wanted last year.

The German replaced Lampard as manager back in January and has made an immediate impact since taking charge. With the Blues in a lowly ninth when he took over, Chelsea are now fourth and well placed to cement a return to the Champions League. Tuchel is yet to taste defeat in his 14 matches as Chelsea boss. That run includes impressive wins at Tottenham, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.

And it seems the Blues squad is happier too. Under Lampard, they lived by a strict fining system that saw their players kept in line like a military operation. Among their fines was a £20,000 punishment if they were late for training. Tuchel has explained why he’s been quick to abolish that system.

With the Blues showing their steel under Tuchel, plans are well underway for their summer transfer plans. While the likes of both Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku have been linked to Chelsea, it seems the German has more modest ambitions.

Indeed, as per the Transfer Window Podcast, Tuchel has asked Chelsea to bring in a new centre-half and a right-back.

Journalist Ian McGarry told the show: “Tuchel has indicated that he would like to bring in at least two players with regards to balancing out his squad. They are mainly in defence rather than up top, where he believes they are very well suited at the moment.

Thomas Tuchel hails Chelsea's 'strength and belief'

Thomas Tuchel hails Chelsea's 'strength and belief'

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel says he is 'very happy' at his side's defensive improvement and feels there is plenty of 'strength and belief' within the squad.

“Frank Lampard ironically had continually lobbied to have a centre-half and a right-back or left-back. Of course he got Ben Chilwell, he was denied what he really wanted in the market despite getting Thiago Silva as well. He’s spent quite a lot of time out injured up until this point in the season.

“So Tuchel has decided ‘well, I’m not going to be caught out in the same way. I will ask and demand that my needs are met with regards to balancing up the squad and improving the first XI as well’.”


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Tuchel looking to offload Ziyech

McGarry claims Tuchel, while pleased with his squad, is concerned about the balance.

He claims the German feels he has too many attacking midfield options at his disposal. Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and even Timo Werner are all capable of playing off the main striker.

As such, McGarry claims the Blues have already actively started looking to find a suitor for Ziyech. They claim the Moroccan – a £37m signing from Ajax – is the most disposable of their attacking options.

“It is our information that Chelsea intend to sell this summer. They invested heavily, around £230m, last summer in rebuilding and of course recruiting to the squad,” McGarry added.

“It is our information that a very well-known agent has been asked to market certain players. The most prominent being Hakim Ziyech who of course has not been at the club very long.

“However, Thomas Tuchel believes that the squad is top heavy in attacking midfielders. He feels that Ziyech is probably the most expendable. They’re looking to recoup some of the investment in him.”

READ MORE: Tuchel tells reporters to ‘go read a book’ when quizzed on Chelsea star’s future