Thomas Tuchel will be without four Chelsea players for the Champions League game against Juventus and confirmed N’Golo Kante has contracted coronavirus.
The Frenchman has barely been used so far this campaign after a groin injury from which he had only recently fully recovered.
Kante was restricted to only two 45 minute bursts against Tottenham and Aston Villa this month, while he was substituted on the hour mark during the 1-0 defeat against Man City.
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He will now miss tomorrow’s clash against the Italian side, as well as Saturday’s Premier League game against Southampton.
Tuchel will also be without players like Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount, as well as Reece James, who also seems lively to miss the trip to St Mary’s with an ankle injury.
‘Christian, Reece, Mason are out due to injury, Reece’s injury is still very painful,’ said Tuchel. ‘It will come down to pain management in the end. It comes down to how much we can expect. We are looking at a minimum of one more week.’
About Kante’s situation, meanwhile, Tuchel said he did not know what proportion of his team is currently fully vaccinated.
He said: ‘I don’t know, I simply don’t know (how many are vaccinated). We are a reflection of society, the players are adults and they have a free choice.
‘We should accept it. This is more or less all I can say. I know the situation is far from over. It makes you very aware it is not over.
‘Do I have the right to say it? I’m not so sure. It is a serious question, vaccinations seems to be a proper protection, I am vaccinated but I don’t see myself in the position to speak out on recommendations.’
