Thomas Tuchel speaks on return to Chelsea as he drops biggest return clue yet
Thomas Tuchel speaks on return to Chelsea as he drops biggest return clue yet as Chelsea drop interest in £43m La Liga wonderkid
Mauricio Pochettino has a few more days left on the training pitches at Cobham before Chelsea face Nottingham Forest. Nuno Espirito Santo will welcome the Blues to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon as either side hopes to climb the Premier League table.
Chelsea are currently seventh after Manchester United were thrashed by Crystal Palace on Monday evening. While the two teams have just as many points with three games to spare, the west Londoners have a 14-goal advantage in the race for European football.
As for Forest, they’re three points above the drop zone and a win could secure their place in the English top flight next term, depending on how Luton Town fare against West Ham. Nevertheless, in other news, the summer transfer window is just around the corner and Chelsea continue to be heavily linked with some big names.
But, for now, it remains to be seen whether or not Todd Boehly will sanction another spending spree. So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at some of the biggest Chelsea stories on Thursday, May 9.
Tuchel drops return clue
Thomas Tuchel has teased a potential return to the Premier League this summer. The former Chelsea boss has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United recently as Erik ten hag continues to disappoint at Old Trafford.
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of Bayern Munich’s clash against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg, Tuchel said: “It’s very, very, very unlikely that it’s at Bayern, I have to say, because we have an agreement, there is at the moment no reason to doubt this agreement.
“We took this position, the initiative came from the club, and so it is and I’m fine with it. I don’t need it for the extra percentage of competitiveness because I’m always up for a win.
“I’m always thinking how to improve the squad or how to improve myself in coaching We go all in. Does it have an influence on where I am next season? Maybe not, maybe I’m on holiday no matter what, let’s see, let’s see.”
The Bayern manager added: “It is no secret that I loved it at Chelsea, I loved it in England and I loved it in the Premier League for sure, it was a very, very special time and I remember it very well.”
Chelsea drop interest in La Liga ace
Chelsea appear to have narrowed their search for a new forward this summer. According to 90min, the Blues have been put off a potential deal for Nico Williams due to the Athletic Bilbao ace’s steep wage demands.
The 21-year-old, who sees his contract at the Estadio de San Mamés expire in 2027, has featured 28 times in La Liga this season, scoring four goals and providing 11 assists. His impressive performances initially caught the eye of some top European clubs, but interest seems to have now fizzled out.
90min add that Williams has a £43million release clause in his contract which he signed back in December. While the Spain international’s modest price tag appealed to many, his wage demands have proven to be a stumbling block in negotiations.
Chelsea reach agreement with ‘Messinho’
Chelsea have been given a huge boost to their hopes of signing Estevao Willian. The 17-year-old winger has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge recently as he continues to impress in the Brazilian top flight.
Estevao, who is nicknamed ‘Messinho’ (which means ‘Little Messi’ in Portuguese), has featured 18 times for Palmeiras this season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists. His impressive performances for Abel Ferreira’s side have reportedly courted the interest of the Blues ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with the teenage sensation. The report states the west Londoners plan to offer Palmeiras €32m (£27.5m), plus €25m (£21.5m) in performance-based add-ons, for Estevao’s signature – a fee which exceeds his €55m (£47.3m) release clause.
