Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was not a happy man on Sunday morning.
The German watched his side lose 4-0 to London rivals Arsenal in their pre-season friendly in Orlando, with the Gunners dominating the encounter from start to finish. Goals from Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Albert Sambi Lokonga handed Mikel Arteta’s men the victory and Tuchel voiced his frustrations with the west Londoners’ display after the full-time whistle.
“I can not guarantee”, he said asked if the Blues will be ready for their Premier League opener against Everton in less than two weeks time. “I saw today a team in Arsenal who are mentally committed to an idea of playing, a level of exhaustion, a level of physical commitment that we could not match.
“Also, a level of mental commitment that we lacked because we have a lot of players who are thinking about leaving and looking at their options. We have players that have left and I think at the moment that’s obvious.”
It was unclear which players Tuchel was referring to when he mentioned potential members of the squad leaving, with the former Borussia Dortmund boss starting a fairly strong XI. One member of Chelsea’s starting line-up that could be heading out the door is attacker Timo Werner.
The Blues are open to selling Werner this summer but his wage demands mean it could be difficult, football.london understands. and the player has made it no secret of his desire to consistently start matches ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Speaking to the media about his future, he said: “First of all, the most important thing is that I am happy.
“I am happy when I play and score goals. That’s the fact. I could be happy everywhere.
“It is clear I want to play more, and I should play more to first be in good shape for the World Cup and, also, to have a chance to play at the World Cup. I think it doesn’t change anything whether it is a winter World Cup or in the summer.
“I think if I play half of the season of the whole season, I should play.” Another member of Tuchel’s starting XI who could be out the door before the transfer window shuts is fullback Emerson Palmieri.
England international Ben Chilwell is likely to be Chelsea’s starting left-back next term and Emerson, who spent last season on loan with Lyon, has been heavily linked with a return to Serie A. Former Blues boss Maurizio Sarri, who is Lazio’s current head coach, is said to be an admirer of the Italian, with Il Messaggero, via Tribalfootball, claiming that Lazio president Claudio Lotito is also keen to bring Emerson to the Stadio Olimpico in the coming weeks.
Emerson’s compatriot Jorginho started the match against Arsenal in central midfield and his future in west London remains a mystery. The 30-year-old’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires next summer and he also continues to be linked with a move back to the Italian top-flight.
However, his agent Joao Santos has played down talk of a summer exit, claiming that talks regarding a renewal will begin in September. Speaking to TUTTOmercatoWEB ( via 90min ), Santos said: “Chelsea are the priority.
“His contract will expire in 2023. I think we will talk about the renewal from September.” Several players also came off Chelsea’s bench in the second half that could very well be leaving this summer.
Belgian frontman Michy Batshuayi and Moroccan playmaker Hakim Ziyech both appear to be surplus to requirements and Serie A giants AC Milan are said to be a likely destination for the latter. Defensive duo Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta also came on after the break despite the two Spaniards being heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in recent weeks.
football.london understands that Alonso will be allowed to leave the club this summer whilst the Blues are open to selling the former Sundland man. Azpilicueta is also open to leaving west London after negotiations with the Blaugrana for the Spanish duo stalled following Boehly’s £4.25billion takeover of the club.
