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Tuchel may rethink targets to boost title charge

By Rob Draper

THOMAS TUCHEL admits the initial transfer targets he gave new owner Todd Boehly to turn Chelsea into title contenders was a fantasy list beyond the realms of achievable.

But, as Chelsea prepare to take on former manager Antonio Conte and Tottenham today, Tuchel insists the club’s ambitions can be lifted beyond being a top-four side if they can execute their final signings of the summer.

They have Raheem

Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Curucella and Carney Chukwuemeka in what is sizing up to be the biggest ever summer spend in their history, with one more arrival meaning it would outstrip anything former owner Roman Abramovich did.

They may yet add Frenkie de Jong, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Wesley Fofana, who has agreed personal terms on a move from Leicester. And if they do, Tuchel will upgrade his targets.

Asked if he could win the league without more signings, Tuchel said: ‘I don’t want to limit our ambitions artificially in August and I don’t want to put pressure on us by putting out any number that we want to reach. Every team fights for top four in this league and if in March and April you’re in the race, you’re in the race.

‘I gave Todd a list and it would have been possible to fight straight for the title with those signings. But that was a pretty unrealistic list! We can play fantasy football.

‘I’m super happy with what we succeeded with so far. They’re fantastic signings. If it’s not finished, we try to bring further quality and with this further quality, of course, the ambition level rises.’

Chelsea’s spending spree does, however, call into question the value of the academy, which had thrived in recent years.

While Mason Mount and Reece James are now established members of the team, Callum Hudson-Odoi looks to have been forced further down the pecking order by the arrival of Sterling, while Conor Gallagher’s prospects look bleak after a breakthrough season in midfield on loan at Crystal Palace.

Scotland internatonal Billy Gilmour appears set for another loan move after a disappointing spell at Norwich last term.

Tuchel has hinted both Gallagher and Hudson-Odoi could be sold, with Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund respectively pursuing loan options. But Tuchel insisted they ought to stay and fight for their place.

Tuchel said: ‘In general, nobody is for sale and everybody is for sale. It depends on what the player wants, how bad he wants it.

‘But we have to do what’s best for the squad, not what’s best for every player.’

Football

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2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

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