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LONDON. — Chelsea will look to bring in new recruits before the transfer window closes on September 1 but will make do with the existing squad if they have to, manager Thomas Tuchel said.
Speaking ahead of today’s trip to Southampton, Tuchel said he was fully focused on their opponents as they look to make it three victories from five games after beating Leicester City 2-1 last time out. “Right now we could need more players in some positions but it’s close to the end of the transfer window and when September 1 comes I will be a happy coach no matter what happens,” Tuchel told a news conference. “I will try to find solutions and not think about what could have happened.”
Chelsea have been linked with Leicester defender Wesley Fofana and Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“All that matters is the reality and the moment now . . . and what will matter at Southampton is to find a way to win, step up individually and push the team. This is what we will do whether players come or not,” Tuchel added. Chelsea cruised to a 6-0 win over Southampton last season, but Tuchel said his team cannot take their 13th-placed opponents lightly at St Mary’s. “What you can always expect at Southampton is a physical game, a running game and a high-intensity game,” Tuchel said. “So we need to recover well and be well prepared to have a chance to repeat what we did last season.” Meanwhile, Wesley Fofana is set to undergo his Chelsea medical yesterday ahead of a £70m move from Leicester.
The window shuts at 11pm on Thursday.
Mid-week English Premiership Fixtures
Today: Crystal Palace v Brentford (8:30pm); Fulham v Brighton (8:30pm); Southampton v Chelsea (8:45pm); Leeds v Everton (9pm).
Tomorrow: Arsenal v Aston Villa (8:30pm); Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers (8:30pm); Manchester City v Nottingham Forest (8:30pm); West Ham v Tottenham Hotspur (8:45pm); Liverpool v Newcastle (9pm). Thursday: Leicester City v Manchester United (9pm). —BBCsport
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