Tuchel shocks fans with Statement on Dembele joining Chelsea frm Barcelona

Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, has refused to fuel speculation linking the club with Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele.

Tuchel however admitted Dembele is a “very good player” and at his “top level”.

The 24-year-old could be set to leave the Nou Camp this month, as talks over a new contract has collapsed.

Dembele was dropped by manager Xavi Hernandez for their Copa del Rey defeat to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night.

Chelsea is among the clubs who have been linked with the France international, who is believed to be available on loan for just £3million this month.

Tuchel has worked with Dembele previously at Borussia Dortmund.

“He is a very good player and he’s in his top level. I’m very fortunate to have trained him in my time at Dortmund,” Tuchel told reporters on Friday.

“It was only one year, it should have been longer, but I needed to leave and he decided to leave.

“From there, we are not in the closest contact. We met here and there because of his duties for the French national team and, of course, I was in Paris so this was when they were preparing for national duties.