Chelsea are in talks to extend manager Thomas Tuchel’s contract.
The German coach, who took charge at Stamford Bridge in January 2021, currently has a deal until 2024.
He initially signed an 18-month contract after replacing Frank Lampard, then extended it after guiding Chelsea to the Champions League title in 2021.
“My people talk to the owners and take care of everything else. You know how glad I am to be here and how much I like it,” Tuchel said.
“There are talks but I think given the situation where we come from, and where we are in the middle of the transfer period, I think it is the very best if I focus on my team and on sports and on being competitive,” he added.
Chelsea will travel to Leeds on Sunday and Tuchel will be on the touchline despite being handed a one-match touchline ban after his confrontation with Spurs boss Antonio Conte following Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
However the Blues will be without midfielder N’Golo Kante who has a hamstring injury that Tuchel said is “quite serious”.
He added: “We’re talking about weeks. It’s not good news, it’s disappointing and sad because he’s super important.”
Mateo Kovacic is also out with a knee problem while Armando Broja and Christian Pulisic, who has been linked with Manchester United this week, are also doubts.
Chelsea have completed the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Cesare Casadei from Inter on a six-year deal and have also been linked with former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who worked with Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund. BBC
