Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel downplayed the need to sign new players after a 3-0 defeat at Leeds United in the Premier League on Sunday, saying his current side could have won the game.
Tuchel has previously said Chelsea want to strengthen their ranks before the end of the transfer window, with a centre-back and a forward being the priorities but not resorting to panic buying.
Despite the signing of Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, Chelsea’s rearguard has seen more departures than arrivals as Antonio Rüdiger and Andreas Christensen have both left the club.
“The transfer window is still open and it’s getting late and we have to focus on what we have and what we can do,” Tuchel told reporters after the Leeds game.
With two goals in five minutes of the first half, the hosts took a 2-0 lead while Chelsea, who ended up with 10 men, couldn’t match the intensity.
“Everything went well. I still believe that we can win with this team in Leeds. It’s more our fault than anyone else’s,” said Tuchel.
He added that he was not shocked that the defeat was the result of a strong performance against Tottenham Hotspur, who Chelsea drew 2-2 with last Sunday.
“There is no time for shocks. We did it in 20 minutes. But then we did things that cost us dominance and the chance to create more chances,” added Tuchel.
“Nevertheless, we didn’t push or create any chances. We weren’t under pressure or in chaos.”