'Maybe a little bit': Tuchel names only one reason why he's annoyed at Barcelona's aggressive transfer campaign

As Chelsea are close to beating Barcelona for Jules Kounde, the future of Cesar Azpilicueta is in question. The Catalans have been pursuing the Chelsea captain for months, but Thomas Tuchel has been reluctant to give a green light to his departure.

Speaking at a press conference in Orlando, the boss explained his thinking.

"It's a tough question because I am not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants. At some point it is about what we want," Tuchel said as quoted by the Evening Standard.

"I just made the comparison about how much we fought for [Kalidou] Koulibaly, who is a national team player and roughly the same age. He is a hugely important player for Napoli but we have a Spanish international who is the captain at Chelsea.

"I see him maybe at the same level but Barcelona don’t see him on that level. So I am not sure if I want to give him what he wants as he is a huge player.

"We don't think so much about other clubs. The focus is on us and what we need. I said that to him and I say it to you that I understand on a personal and a career level. But I am not only in this role to give him what he wants. I am a manager for Chelsea who wants to do what's best for Chelsea.

"He doesn't like it but he understands. It is tough for him because the other club is permanently on him. On September 1 when things calm down, then he can play on his highest level.”

Tuchel was then asked if he was annoyed at Barcelona's aggressive attempts to sign his captain for months.

The German quipped: "Maybe a little bit."

In fairness, Chelsea have a lot of reasons to be annoyed at Barcelona. The Catalans turned Raphinha's head after the Blues agreed a deal with Leeds. They've also made the Kounde race so unnecessarily protracted.

Now, Chelsea might have to deal with the La Liga side as Azpilicueta's preference is to join the latter, with a two-year contract verbally agreed.

Source: Evening Standard