Chelsea's difficulties this summer continue to stack up as Thomas Tuchel looks for solutions to several problems with the new campaign just over one week away. The Blues have struggled in pre-season and despite the fact the games have no real bearing on the next season, pressure seems to be mounting over the side.
In the transfer market, there have also been some prominent issues. The west London outfit were the 19th side out of 20 in the Premier League to make a signing and while another quickly followed, the squad turnover hasn't been quite as large as the manager had suggested previously.
It led to the German coach speaking out on the lack of signings as well as exits from the club after a devastating 4-0 loss to rivals Arsenal in America: "We had an urgent appeal for quality players. We signed two quality players, but we are not competitive like this," Tuchel told reporters. "It’s the same players.
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"We will see hopefully development but at the moment, we have the same issues because we have the same players." One particular area for improvement over the break has been in the defensive ranks.
The loss of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen as free agents has seen a lack of centre-back options at Tuchel's disposal, even despite the arrival of Kalidou Koulibaly. A move for Nathan Ake broke down, leading attention to be turned to long-term target Jules Kounde.
However, it seems as though the Frenchman could be heading to Barcelona after the Blues had their offer hijacked for the defender. Paris Saint-Germain's Presnel Kimpembe has also been a player of interest for Chelsea, but with the player wishing to stay and with a reported £60million price tag, the club are yet to make a firm move.
That means the side may switch their focus to other options, with L'Equipe claiming Monaco's Banoit Badiashile is on the list. However, the Ligue 1 club apparently won't listen to offers less than £42million. At 21-years-old, Badiashile has been another of the French league's breakout stars, making 24 league appearances as well as featuring in the Champions League and Europa League.
It could see the Blues make an investment for the future as much as an improvement for the current squad.
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