French defender Lucas Hernandez occupies “a prominent role” in the plans of Bayern and Thomas Tuchel, said Friday at a press conference the Munich coach, who said he was “surprised” by the rumors that appeared Thursday in the French press.
The French daily L’Equipe mentioned Thursday an agreement in principle between the 2018 world champion Lucas Hernandez and Paris SG for a transfer.
“I saw that there were certain titles in the press, that surprised me a little. I don’t know if it’s the truth or not, ”explained Thomas Tuchel on Friday, on the eve of the match in Cologne from Bayern, for the last day of the Bundesliga.
“All I can tell you is that in my plans and in Bayern’s plans he plays a prominent role. I said it two weeks ago. He’s a manager and that hasn’t changed,” said Tuchel.
Lucas Hernandez is under contract with Bayern Munich until the end of June 2024. Victim of a cruciate ligament rupture in his right knee during the French team’s first match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he is undergoing rehabilitation at Munich since his operation at the end of November.
After resuming training with the ball in early April, the French defender participated this week in half an hour of collective training for the Munich residents. Thomas Tuchel, however, ruled out including him in the group for the trip to Cologne on Saturday.
“Lucas set a new record here with the time he spent in rehabilitation after his injury. It would be more than irresponsible,” said Thomas Tuchel.
Second in the Bundesliga, two points behind Borussia Dortmund, Bayern must win in Cologne and count on a misstep from BVB to hope to win an eleventh consecutive German championship title.