Chelsea’s boss silent on Fofana rumours

CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel turned down an opportunity to discuss Wesley Fofana yesterday – but did again reiterate his hopes for a new centre-back, writes Jordan Blackwell.

The West London club have had two bids rejected by Leicester City for Fofana and there is talk that a third is imminent.

A fee in the region of the

£80 million Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire - a world record transfer for a defender – is required for City to even consider selling their prized asset.

With that transfer activity going on behind the scenes, a question on interest in Fofana was put to Tuchel at his press conference yesterday as he prepares for Chelsea’s clash with Tottenham tomorrow.

But he did not even let the reporter finish the question.

“We can shorten this, I will not comment,” Tuchel said. “No matter how good your question will be, I will not comment.”

But the German was willing to discuss his desire for a new defender.

Chelsea have already signed two this summer, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella, but Tuchel feels another is needed for the balance of his back-line.

“We could use one more central defender,” he said.

“If you look at the numbers and given the fact that at the moment, we play with a back three.

“The profile of the guys in the back three is a little bit different, I admit.

“Azpi (Cesar Azpilicueta) is more of a full-back than a central defender, Cucurella is possible in a certain position, but both of them cannot play as the central defender, so we could use one more. Let’s see what happens.”

On Thursday, City manager Brendan Rodgers again said the 21-year-old Frenchman was not for sale and that bids made so far – the second believed to be around £70 million – were “nowhere near” what would be required to get City to even think about changing their minds.

Rodgers believes the best step for Fofana’s career is to stay at City for one more season.