ORLANDO — Chelsea’s defensive overhaul is starting to take shape.
Kalidou Koulibaly completed his £34 million transfer from Napoli last week, and Jules Koundé is reportedly set to join — despite a noncommittal response from manager Thomas Tuchel during Friday’s Florida Cup media day at Universal Studios.
Chelsea will face London rival Arsenal at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday in a preseason friendly at Camping World Stadium.
“I will not give an update,” Tuchel told reporters when asked about Sevilla defender Koundé. “I’m not sure if it’s true.” The Guardian reported that a deal has been reached for around £55 million, and the 23-year-old Frenchman will sign a five-year contract.
Koundé offers flexibility on the right side of defense, perhaps on the outside of Tuchel’s preferred back-three formation. That raised the question of whether Koundé’s addition could allow César Azpilicueta to make his preferred move to Barcelona.
Tuchel expressed aggravation at Barcelona’s advances toward Azpilicueta, who is contracted to Chelsea through next summer.
“I’m not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants,” Tuchel said. “At some point, it’s also about us.”
Tuchel believes Azpilicueta, who joined the Blues in August 2012, will handle the situation professionally despite Barcelona being “permanently on him.”
Chelsea might not yet be done shopping for defenders. Tuchel expressed a desire for a left-footer to complement Thiago Silva, Kounde and Koulibaly, though the Senegalese star can operate on the left.
The Blues have been linked with a move for PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe and RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, though it is unclear if either deal will go through.
Antonio Rüdiger and Andreas Christensen departed the club earlier this summer on free transfers, to Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively.
“We need numbers, but we also need quality,” Tuchel said. “We will make some decisions late, not only about players but also about system.”
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