My opinion off the latest rumours Tuchel really wants Rice but it isn’t happening this summer so he is instead focusing on a CB, Silva will be gone at the end of the season, Azpilicueta is ageing and it’s unlikely that both Rüdiger and Christensen sign new deals plus Zouma isn’t what Tuchel is looking for in a CB.
So you get Kounde this summer keep Chalobah as the four midfield option this season, then next summer you go for Rice in the cm position have Kounde, one of Rüdiger or Christensen, Chalobah and Azpilicueta plus maybe one more in the cb positions.