Thomas Tuchel in talks with Chelsea over contract but manager focused on team

Coach wants spotlight to remain on players during transfer window

Thomas Tuchel waves to Chelsea supporters after the Premier League match against Watford. Getty

Thomas Tuchel is in talks with Chelsea over extending his contract although the German says he is focusing on "my team... and on being competitive".

The 48-year-old's present contract runs until 2024. He signed that after guiding Chelsea to the 2021 Champions League trophy having initially had an 18-month deal when he replaced the sacked Frank Lampard in January 2021.

"My people talk to the owners and take care of everything else," said Tuchel ahead of Sunday's away match at Leeds.

"You know how glad I am to be here and how much I like it. 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.

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  Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel clashes with Tottenham's Antonio Conte after the 2-2 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge on August 14. Action Images

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  Referee Anthony Taylor shows a red card to Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel. AP

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  Thomas Tuchel argues with Antonio Conte. AP

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  Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is restrained by security after clashing with Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel after the match. Action Images

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  Thomas Tuchel clashes with Antonio Conte after the match. Action Images

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  Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is shown a red card by referee Anthony Taylor. Reuters

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  Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly celebrates with Reece James after scoring the opening goal. AFP

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  Koulibaly celebrates with teammates after scoring. AP

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  Marc Cucurella in action against Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham. EPA

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  Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel gestures on the touchline. AFP

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  Tottenham coach Antonio Conte makes his point. AFP

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  Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg celebrates after levelling at 1-1. Getty

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  Chelsea's Kai Havertz remonstrates with referee Anthony Taylor after Tottenham Hotspur's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg levels. Reuters

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  Hojbjerg scores the equaliser. Getty

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  Reece James celebrates with teammates after scoring the second for Chelsea. EPA

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  Tottenham manager Antonio Conte reacts after clashing with Thomas Tuchel. Reuters

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  Tottenham's Dejan Kulusevski in action with Chelsea's Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly. Reuters

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  Reece James celebrates scoring Chelsea's second goal. Reuters

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  Tottenham's Harry Kane leaps to head home and make it 2-2. Action Images

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  Harry Kane celebrates scoring Tottenham's second goal. Action Images

Tuchel was speaking before the Football Association imposed a one-match suspension and a fine of £35,000 ($41,000) on him after he was sent off following his furious clash with Tottenham boss Antonio Conte last Sunday.

Conte was also fined £15,000 but Tuchel said that there was no bad blood between them and it had just been emotions running high in the heat of the battle.

"Of course we laugh, it's very important to laugh, and laugh at ourselves," he said. "I was laughing in the dressing room; it was the heat of the match and we didn't insult each other.

"I think the thing would have ended if there were not 20 people around us that make the thing look much worse than it actually was.

"He [Conte] was fighting for his team, I was fighting for my team. I have nothing but the biggest respect for him."