Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 6y

PSG coach Thomas Tuchel: Adrien Rabiot needs to say he wants to stay

SINGAPORE -- Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel has said midfielder Adrien Rabiot can bring "a lot" to his side but added that his future remains unclear amid interest from Barcelona.

Sources have told ESPN FC that Barca are keen on Rabiot, who came through the ranks at PSG, but know a deal could be difficult.

"I am certain that Adrien can still bring a lot to this club -- his club," Tuchel said at a news conference ahead of his side's final International Champions Cup match against Atletico Madrid in Singapore.

"It is important to have a youth academy graduate at this level. However, he needs to come out and say that and that is still a big but."

Asked whether he would talk to Neymar about the controversy that surrounded his play-acting at the World Cup, Tuchel said: "I must be careful what I say when I speak about Neymar.

"Anything I say about him will be done in a closed space with two ears and two mouths only. I know that I have a privileged link with Neymar and I am sure that we will be able to do great things."

Tuchel has been linked with a move for AC Milan's Leonardo Bonucci or Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng, but said: "I have three top-class central defenders available to me once they are all back.

"I believe in all of them -- Presnel [Kimpembe], Marquinhos and our captain Thiago [Silva]. It is hard to talk about potential additions, but I understand why you are asking.

"We could talk for hours about what sort of central defender I would like. I already have three of the highest quality, but what if one gets injured, or suspended with too many red or yellow cards? We must prepare for everything."

Tuchel said that although Marco Verratti and Layvin Kurzawa might feature against Atletico, Julian Draxler will miss out after feeling pain during a training session ahead of the 5-1 loss to Arsenal.

^ Back to Top ^