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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Former Chelsea defender assesses January transfer window amid Thomas Tuchel's 'calm' admission

Former Chelsea full-back Geremi has tipped his old club to "fight for titles" this season despite a quiet January transfer window in terms of incomings.

The Blues brought two players to Stamford Bridge last month, with youngsters Mason Burstow and Dylan Williams coming in from Charlton Athletic and Derby County, respectively.

However, these two, while perhaps being smart acquisitions for the future, are unlikely to be in Thomas Tuchel's immediate plans - leaving some Chelsea supporters disappointed with the lack of activity at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are currently third in the Premier League table, 10 points below leaders Manchester City, and have played one match more than the reigning champions of England.

Chelsea are still in the Champions League and FA Cup, in the round of 16 and fourth round, respectively.

Meanwhile, Tuchel will be desperate to get off the mark this season by winning the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool later this month.

So, there's no doubt that Chelsea are still competitive on all fronts this season and former defender Geremi is not worried about the lack of signings over the January transfer window.

Geremi, when speaking to Genting Casino, said: "I wasn’t surprised that Chelsea didn’t make any signings in January. When you look at their position in the league and Champions League, they are still in contention to fight for titles.

Thomas Tuchel didn't have his Chelsea squad added to during the January transfer window (Robin Jones/Getty Images)

"They have a strong squad and I’m not worried. Let’s see what happens until the end of the season. Tuchel is capable of doing good things like he did last year.

"As a manager, as long as you achieve things you are good. They appointed him to win things and that’s what he has done. Until now, he has done a very good job."

What has Tuchel said?

Tuchel, during his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, was asked about last month's transfer window and about Ousmane Dembele, specifically, with the Blues understood to have been monitoring his situation at Barcelona.

The German coach said: "Yes, I'm very satisfied [with the January transfer window], because it was a calm window, and to be calm is always, in doubt, the best thing.

"We were open for things, I did not have contact with Ousmane to answer your question very directly. So there was no contact between us."

Tuchel understandably backed the board when quizzed on the lack of activity last month, but come the summer transfer window, the Chelsea boss will be keen to strengthen his options ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

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