Chelsea are facing up to some difficult home truths following their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal on Sunday.
Thomas Tuchel was openly critical of his player after the Florida Cup humiliation by their Premier League rivals and Monday was not a happy day for the club. Several players continue to be linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, while incoming transfers are stalling.
Time is of the essence for Tuchel and his side, with their Premier League opening fixture against Everton on August 6 fast approaching. Here Mirror Football takes a look at the latest headlines for Chelsea.
Blues to shelve Kounde move
Chelsea are ready to walk away from their deal to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, in part due to doubts over his ability to thrive in the Premier League.
Kounde has been a long-term target for Chelsea, who narrowly failed to get a transfer over the line last summer for the France international. They are facing strong competition from Barcelona this time around, with reports in Spain saying the Catalan giants have agreed terms on a four-year deal with Kounde and can sign him for £55million.
Chelsea have already signed Kalidou Koulibaly to ease their concerns in central defence, but are getting cold feet on Kounde – in part due to his lack of stature. Kounde is 5ft 10in and that could hinder his ability to hit the ground running next season.
Chelsea squad “littered” with uncertainty
Thomas Tuchel has been warned that his squad is packed with too many players who don’t want to be there on the eve of a new season.
The likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Marcos Alonso and Armando Broja have all been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge this summer. Pre-season has been difficult for Tuchel, who openly questioned his squad’s readiness for the coming campaign after a 4-0 thrashing by Arsenal on the weekend.
Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino is worried. He told talkSPORT : “[There is] so much uncertainty within that squad. Take Timo Werner, who has made it quite clear he’d like to move on and play elsewhere as he wants more game time ahead of the World Cup.
“That’s littered in Chelsea’s squad, way too many. It’s becoming a bit messy.”
Werner linked with Leipzig
Timo Werner is one of those Chelsea stars who are unsettled and he could be offered a route out in the summer transfer window.
Werner joined the Blues in a £53million deal from RB Leipzig in 2020 and the German side are now weighing up whether to make a move for their former player, according to the Daily Mail. Chelsea are open to selling Werner, who was offered to Juventus amid previous talks over Matthijs de Ligt before he joined Bayern Munich.
The 26-year-old has appeared at odds with Tuchel recently, but has three years left on his £245,000-a-week contract, meaning an exit could be difficult this summer.
