Thomas Tuchel concedes Edinson Cavani has lost confidence this season, but is adamant he wants to keep the striker at Paris Saint-Germain.
Cavani, who is struggling with a groin problem, has handed in a transfer request at PSG, whose sporting director Leonardo has confirmed was the subject of a rejected bid from Atletico Madrid.
Premier League clubs Chelsea and Tottenham have also been linked with Cavani, who has been restricted to just nine Ligue 1 appearances this term due to injuries and the form of Mauro Icardi.
Tuchel understands Cavani s frustrations but insists the Uruguay forward is still a key part of his squad.
For now he is on the bench and lacking game time. He is lacking rhythm and confidence, Tuchel said ahead of Wednesday s Coupe de la Ligue semi-final against Reims.
[Confidence] is the most important thing, especially for goalscorers, but that s the way it is. In big clubs, there are players with a lot of quality but there is tough competition and it is not easy for him.
I am aware of it and I understand it completely and I am very happy to see that he is still professional. If someone is injured, we will have a wonderful substitute.
If he is able to find a rhythm again, we will be able to put him on the pitch and someone else on the bench. But he is lacking it, so it is really difficult to only help during one game.
We still have this in mind but this is why it would be better for him to be part of the group, but he still has problems with his groin.
136 Edinson Cavani has scored 136 in Ligue 1 in the past decade, more than any other player. Goleador .
— OptaJean (@OptaJean)
Though Tuchel is planning to keep Cavani, he is aware the situation could change before the transfer window shuts.
I said many times, I love the group, the players, each of them. We don t want to lose a player but sometimes it can happen, Tuchel said.
This is the reality. I still feel the same way, maybe nothing will happen, so I am quiet. Edinson is one of our players and I am happy with that.
If things have to change, we will adapt. Now, he is here and part of my dressing room. If things change we will think about it later.
We need to wait a few days until he is fit again. Then he will have to fight to find a spot on the team and during the season it is not easy. He has been injured too many times but it is not his fault, nor was it our fault.
He s had to do too many individual sessions and this is why he is lacking confidence, he is not playing enough or scoring enough but we can t think about it too much because he is injured.
