Thomas Tuchel unwilling to accept Cesar Azpilicueta’s demands

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By Martin Graham | 23rd Jul 2022

Cesar Azpilicueta is keen to join Barcelona but finds Thomas Tuchel a stumbling block. The Spaniard Azpilicueta remains adamant about letting the Spaniard leave the club amid his desire for reinforcements.

Chelsea are two weeks away from their first 2022/23 Premier League match. The Blues take on Everton in their league opener at Goodison Park, yet all seems unsettled at Stamford Bridge. The Blues finished last season without a trophy and wants to avoid a similar fate this season.

Thomas Tuchel has seen some departures this summer but has replaced them appreciably. The exit of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Romelu Lukaku threw some spanners in the works for the Blues.

The arrivals of Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling have gone a long way in reducing the effects of the departures.

Despite the latest acquisitions, Chelsea are still unstable. The west London club is battling to keep one of its vital players. Cesar Azpilicueta wants to leave Stamford Bridge, but Thomas Tuchel is unwilling to let the Spaniard exit the club.

Tuchel unwilling to free Azpi

Last season Chelsea failed to land any trophy, and Thomas Tuchel is eager to avoid a repeat performance. The German tactician is looking for players to strengthen his squad and is reluctant to let any player vital to his plans leave the club this summer.

The departure of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on a free transfer has bolstered his position not to let any vital player leave.

Cesar Azpilicueta seems tired of Chelsea and is angling to return to his native Spain. Despite the desires of the Spanish defender, who wants to join Barcelona, Tuchel is unwilling to buckle to his demands. The position of Tuchel is public knowledge, with Azpilicueta seeking solutions to the impasse.

Azpilicueta has asked to be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge in a cut-price deal. The Spaniard used the exit of Romelu Lukaku as a reference point. The big Belgian left Chelsea at a massive loss for the Blues.

Barcelona up the ante

Barcelona were interested in signing Jules Kounde from Sevilla but was beaten to the punch by Chelsea. Following the loss to Chelsea, Barcelona has upped the ante in their pursuit of Azpilicueta. The Catalan giants have met a stumbling block in Tuchel, who is adamant about keeping the defender at Stamford Bridge.

When pressed by Standard Sport in Florida, Tuchel said it was tough because he is unsure if he can give Azpi what he wants. He continued by saying that it is about what Chelsea wants. He compared the Azpilicueta situation to how the club fought to land Kalidou Koulibaly. The Senegalese is also a national team player and about the same age as Azpi.

Tuchel could not deny his annoyance at Barcelona constantly trying to sign his player. He said he was a little bit annoyed.

Kounde would soon join Chelsea after the Frenchman agreed on a five-year deal. The contract will elapse in 2027 after Chelsea offered Sevilla £55 million. Chelsea are also interested in signing Nathan Ake of Manchester City and Presnel Kimpembe of Paris Saint-Germain.

Tuchel admitted he prefers a left-sided player but is not confident of getting one.