Thomas Tuchel didn’t give Cesar Azpilicueta permission to join Barcelona

DBasia.news – Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has commented on rumors circulating that Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta wants to join Barcelona. Thomas Tuchel insisted that he would not allow his players to leave, because Chelsea still needed him.

Azpilicueta (32 years) has one year left on his Chelsea contract and is seriously interested in Barcelona. The Blaugrana are building a competitive squad to compete for trophies amid the club’s huge debt.

Barcelona have already signed Pablo Torre, Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. Now they focus on fixing the defensive side. Not satisfied with Christensen, who is also a former Chelsea player, two other Barca wanted also played there.

Apart from Azpilicueta Barcelona are also eyeing Marcos Alonso. Tuchel was also annoyed with Barcelona and insisted he did not want Azpilicueta to leave, because he is Chelsea captain and also an important player. Moreover, Chelsea have left Christensen and Antonio Rudiger – even though they have brought in Kalidou Koulibaly.

“It’s a difficult question because I’m not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants. At some point, it’s about what we want,” explained Tuchel as quoted by Goal.

“I was just making a comparison of how much we fought for (signing) Koulibaly, who is a national team player and roughly the same age.

“He is a very important player for Napoli but we have a Spain international who is captain at Chelsea. I see him maybe at the same level but Barcelona don’t see him at that level.”

“So I’m not sure if I want to give him what he wants because he’s a big player. We don’t think too much about other clubs. The focus is on us and what we need. I said that to him and I told you that I understand on a personal and career level.”

“But I’m not just in this role to give him what he wants. I’m a Chelsea manager who wants to do what’s best for Chelsea. He doesn’t like it but he understands.”

“It’s difficult for him because other clubs are permanent with him. On September 1 when everything is calm, then he can play at his highest level,” explained Tuchel.

Azpilicueta has been with Chelsea since 2012 after being recruited from Olympique Marseille. Given his passport as a Spanish player, returning to his hometown is always an option and therefore it is difficult for Azpilicueta to turn down an offer to Barcelona.