https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/
tuchel-on-ronaldo-rumours-sterlings-first-days-and-koulibaly-latest
Tuchel on Koulibaly signing, Ronaldo rumours and Sterling's first days
16 Jul 2022
Thomas Tuchel has provided an update on Kalidou Koulibaly as well as the
speculation linking us with Cristiano Ronaldo and the first days of Raheem
Sterling's Chelsea career.
https://i.imgur.com/rfar3OL.jpg
The Blues boss was speaking at a press conference at the Allegiant Stadium
in Las Vegas following our short flight from Los Angeles and immediately
prior to open training at the stadium.
Given the transfer window remains open and rumours are rife, he was asked
first to discuss how those transfer plans were progressing.
'We're working on more numbers,' he said. 'Everybody is wishing to have
the complete team in pre-season but this almost never happens. We're
working on it as fast as possible but at the same time we're relaxed.
'We know what we have to offer and we're also focused on the players who
are here because in general that's the most important.'
Speaking on Koulibaly specifically after the Senegal international's
signing was confirmed, Tuchel added: 'I'm very happy with him signing and
joining our team.
'He's now the second signing of the summer and again we have a strong
player, a strong personality with big experience. From our point of view,
he's a perfect addition to the group.'
Another recent addition to the squad is Sterling, who will train in front
of supporters for the first time at the stadium session. Tuchel revealed
he has settled in well in the camp with his new team-mates, albeit on a
lighter training programme.
'He's on an individual programme and did not join the team because the
team is two weeks ahead of him in intense double training sessions,' he
explained.
https://i.imgur.com/miqqpcS.jpg
Raheem Sterling and Reece James together training in Los Angeles
'It's not the moment where he joins full team training for every minute.
It's still pretty demanding but on a different level to everyone else.'
The German was also asked about what the England winger brings to the
group and whether he might feature in tomorrow's friendly against Club
America.
'It's pretty obvious what he delivers and that's exactly what you see on
the pitch,' he continued. 'I have the feeling that he's ready, absolutely
happy to be here and it's a new chapter for his career. It's been a
relaxed first few days.
'For tomorrow, we have not decided yet the line-up but he hasn't trained
with the team so it's not very likely that he will play.'
Ronaldo had been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge earlier this summer
but Tuchel would not be drawn on discussing our pursuit for the Manchester
United striker, instead insisting that our top attacking target had been
secured.
'He's a fantastic player for another fantastic club in the Premier League
but out of respect we don't comment on these players because we don't like
other coaches to speak about our players,' he added.
https://i.imgur.com/JGgZMW5.jpg
Ronaldo up against Thiago Silva
'This is where it has to stay. We focused on our top target Raheem
Sterling who we could sign and everything else stays behind closed doors.'