Thomas Tuchel hails Sergio Aguero as ‘a world-class player, with no words needed about his achievements’ after Chelsea moved into pole position to sign Man City’s outgoing striker, who wants to stay in the Premier League
Thomas Tuchel has hailed outgoing Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero as ‘world class’ but refused to be drawn on whether Chelsea would make a move for him in the summer.
Sportsmail reported on Thursday that Chelsea are leading the race for Aguero’s signature with the striker out of contract and departing City at the end of the season.
But quizzed about Chelsea’s interest on Friday, Tuchel was coy.
Thomas Tuchel said Sergio Aguero is ‘world class’ but was coy over Chelsea’s interest
‘You can ask but it’s the same answer as Haaland,’ Tuchel said. ‘We have full respect for Manchester City and Sergio Aguero, who is a big player for them. There is no words needed for me about the achievements of this guy, he is a world-class player.
‘But we have three competitions in which we are in with Manchester City so I will not speak about their player.’
Chelsea wanted to sign Aguero in 2011 when he played for Atletico Madrid and they are one of only a handful of clubs who could pay the salary of more than £13million he has commanded at City but others who have the financial resources — Manchester United and Liverpool — are not at the table.
Tuchel was also earlier asked about interest in Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
‘I will not answer that out of respect for the player and Borussia Dortmund,’ Tuchel said. ‘There is big news around him and his agent.
‘It seems like they are creating a race for the player and I will fully accept this a player for Borussia Dortmund, a promising player of course.
But he isn’t our player and is not in our squad. So we will not comment on anything else regarding Haaland.’
