Thomas Tuchel has played down reports of Chelsea interest in Erling Braut Haaland and Dayot Upamecano, insisting there is a “long way to go” until the summer transfer window.
The German is preparing for the Blues’ fifth round FA Cup tie with Barnsley on Thursday after three wins from four games in an unbeaten start since replacing Frank Lampard.
But after his promising start to life at Stamford Bridge, with victory over Sheffield United last weekend lifting them to within a point of a place inside the top four, talk has begun over potential moves this summer to reshape the squad to the former Borussia Dortmund manager’s liking.
And Norwegian sensation Haaland and RB Leipzig’s French defender Upamecano have been linked with the Blues, but Tuchel maintains he must show “respect” by not discussing another club’s player.
“I can understand the interest of every fan and supporter to talk about these subjects,” Tuchel replied when asked about recent reports. “But now is February.
“There is a long way to go. I will not talk about other players publicly where they are under contract. This is the respect we show.
“We think about our central defenders and strikers first.”
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