When questioned about rumors that Chelsea was considering a move for seasoned forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Tuchel couldn’t help but smile.
Following the confirmation of Raheem Sterling’s transfer from Manchester City on Wednesday night, the Blues’ transfer window is now fully operational. Prior to the £50 million signing being official, the England international landed at Chelsea’s preseason training in Los Angeles earlier this week.
Following the American’s acquisition of the club from Roman Abramovich, Sterling became the first significant transfer of the Todd Boehly era. And the former City player promises that Chelsea’s efforts to catch up to Liverpool and the Premier League champions will only be the beginning.
Kalidou Koulibaly, a defender for Napoli, might move by the weekend’s end, and there is still a chance Nathan Ake will follow Sterling from the Etihad to Stamford Bridge.
The focus will then go to other positions in Tuchel’s roster, with a center forward maybe coming up at some point. Romelu Lukaku’s return to Inter Milan on loan was permitted by Chelsea during this transfer window, leaving little options to play as a traditional attacker.
After news of a meeting between Boehly and super-agent Jorge Mendes surfaced at the end of last month, Manchester United superstar Ronaldo has been strongly linked with a move to the city.
Another elite striker who appears to be on the move is Lewandowski, the Pole having made it obvious that he wants to leave Bayern Munich in the current transfer window. Although Chelsea has recently been mentioned as a potential destination for Lewandowski, Barcelona is still the clear favorite to sign the 34-year-old.
Speaking after the Sterling news, though, Tuchel declined to address any rumors but did express his love for the productive duo. Tuchel laughed when asked about the links, “Any chance I don’t remark on them? Since that is what will take place! I won’t make any comments about it; we will stick to it.
“Their professional accomplishments speak for themselves; I don’t need to comment further or spread untrue rumors. When something is prepared to be announced, we will do so.
According to Mirror Football, Ronaldo has now run out of options to force Manchester United out of his contract because Chelsea has, at least in private, ruled out the prospect of signing him.
In the meantime, Tuchel has pleaded with his new employers to continue spending lavishly as the new season approaches, as not only the two sides above them, but also the ones surrounding them, are getting better.
competing with two elite teams and two elite coaches… In the early stages of the transfer window, Tottenham was extremely active and aggressive, and their current roster may be their strongest ever.
We must maintain a high standard in order to stay competitive since Man United is never reticent to buy players when a new coach takes over, and Arsenal have already made some significant additions.
I wouldn’t rule anything out, but signing a striker isn’t the top priority, he continued. Defense is a top priority – this is no secret – and after that, we need to assess what is feasible.
