'I'm not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants': Tuchel hints at blocking Azpilicueta's move to Barca

Thomas Tuchel has stated in an interview, the importance of Azpilicueta to the squad and that he would not be willing to give him up.

“It's a tough question because I am not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants,” Tuchel told Standard Sport.

"At some point it is about what we want. I just made the comparison about how much we fought for (Kalidou) Koulibaly, who is a national team player and roughly the same age.

“He is a hugely important player for Napoli but we have a Spanish international who is the captain at Chelsea.

"I see him maybe at the same level but Barcelona don’t see him on that level. So I am not sure if I want to give him what he wants as he is a huge player. We don't think so much about other clubs. The focus is on us and what we need.

"I said that to him and I say it to you 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. It is tough for him because the other club is permanently on him.

"On the first of September when things calm down, then he can play on his highest level.”

Source: Standard Sport