Thomas Tuchel insists Chelsea’s lack of striker options is ‘not a problem’ after talks to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Thomas Tuchel insists Chelsea’s lack of strikers is ‘not a problem’ following his side’s 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Tuesday evening.

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Chelsea went ahead through Raheem Sterling but goals from Romeo Lavia and Adam Armstrong sealed the victory for Southampton at St Mary’s.

Armando Broja, Chelsea’s only recognised first-team striker, came off the bench in the second half against Southampton as Tuchel started with a front three of Hakim Ziyech, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz.

Chelsea have held extensive talks over the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona and although a deal has yet to be agreed, it’s understood that the former Arsenal captain is open to a move to Stamford Bridge.

But Tuchel has made it clear that bringing in a new forward will not solve the team’s current issues following their second defeat of the new Premier League season.

When asked if Chelsea need to sign a new striker before the end of the window, Tuchel told talkSPORT: ‘We’ve been talking about this since I’m here, it’s not a problem.

‘We won many matches 1-0, 2-0, you can have a clean sheet, toughen up. We had the lead, we had enough chances.

‘It’s not about bringing in the next one and the next one, what is concerning is the numbers and the depth in the squad when you look at the players who are on the bench today and should they play for Chelsea with the demands of Chelsea in the beginning of the season and the season starts right now, then this is concerning, the numbers are concerning.

‘But scoring, not scoring, this is now the wrong question, we did score here and it’s not forbidden to keep a clean sheet.’

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