Chelsea Doesn't Need A Midfielder Anymore, Manchester United Can Freely Pursue Frenkie De Jong's Signature

JAKARTA – Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel said his team remained actively looking for new players in the remaining weeks of the transfer window this summer, but midfielders were not their priority.

This annulled rumors that previously linked the Blues with Manchester United target Frenkie De Jong.

It also gives hope for MU can more freely pursue the Barcelona player.

"Yes, if we can add new players, we will add. Maybe not necessarily midfielders as the first option but we are open to everything," said the German coach, reported by the Mirror, Sunday, August 7.

De Jong has been linked with Manchester United for a long time. The issue got stronger with the appointment of Erik Ten Hag as the new coach of the Red Devils.

The 52-year-old coach previously worked with De Jong when they were at Ajax. However, his efforts to bring De Jong to Old Trafford were difficult.

So far De Jong has not shown great desire to join the Red Devils.

The reason, they do not play in the European Champions League.

The entry of the Blues in the competition for the 25-year-old only emerged recently. Their potential to get it is also quite large because Barcelona really intends to sell De Jong.

Some reports suggest the midfielder would also prefer to stay in London if he leaves Spain. However, Tuchel hinted his team needed more players in other lines.

"I think we can use new energy, new legs and fresh signings to take us to a new level. If not then we will push this team but I think we can use more input and quality," he said.

Chelsea have a pretty solid midfield. They have N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho who scored the only goal from the penalty spot to beat Everton in the first week of the 2022/2023 Premier League.

Currently, Chelsea is still focused on strengthening the defense after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella have already been brought in as substitutes, but Chelsea are looking to add to the squad.