Chelsea vow not to let César Azpilicueta join Barcelona for cut-price fee

Thomas Tuchel said he understands César Azpilicueta’s desire to join Barcelona, but added that Chelsea will not allow the defender to leave for a cut-price fee.

Azpilicueta, whose contract expires in June 2023, has been linked with a move to Barcelona for several months, but Tuchel said the Spanish club’s valuation of the Spain international did not match Chelsea’s.

“It’s a tough question because I am not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants,” Tuchel said. “At some point it is about what we want. I made the comparison about how much we fought for Kalidou Koulibaly, who is a national team player and roughly the same age. I see [Azpilicueta] maybe at the same level but Barcelona don’t see him on that level.

“I said that to him … that I understand on a personal and a career level. But I am not only in this role to give him what he wants. I am a manager for Chelsea who wants to do what’s best for Chelsea. He doesn’t like it but he understands.”

Chelsea, who finished third last season, kick off the new campaign with a trip to Everton on 6 August.