Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is optimistic N’Golo Kante will be fit to face Arsenal on Sunday but has revealed Ruben Loftus-Cheek is not training with the squad due to testing positive for COVID-19.
Kante missed Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the weekend. Tuchel had admitted on the eve of the contest that the midfielder suffered issues during the UEFA Super Cup Final triumph over Villarreal in Belfast, where he was substituted in the 65th minute.
Tuchel has confirmed to The Athletic that Kante has picked up an ankle problem, but hopes he can return for the London derby at Emirates Stadium.
He said: “N’Golo felt discomfort in his ankle (on Friday). He (first) felt it in the warm-up in the Super Cup match against Villarreal. He played a little bit in pain and (on Friday) he felt it again.
“We decided to take him out and not risk him at the beginning of the season. I think N’Golo will be back in the middle of the week to get ready for Arsenal.”
Fellow midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, however, is definitely out of contention for the fixture after being told to isolate due to his COVID-19 result.
There were suggestions on Saturday that he was left out of the squad to face Palace because of COVID-19.
Tuchel added: “The rumour is right, Ruben did a positive test. He got the result on Thursday or Friday. He is in isolation and following the protocol, that is why he could not be in the (Palace) group.”
It is a blow for the 25-year-old, who is trying to make a positive impression on the Chelsea coach after spending last season on loan at Fulham.
Meanwhile, Tuchel expects to give new club-record signing Romelu Lukaku his debut against Mikel Arteta’s side.
The £97.5 million forward is coming out of quarantine on Monday and Tuchel said:
“On Tuesday, he will join in team training because Monday is a day off (for everyone else). We will prepare him to be ready for Arsenal. Hopefully, he can be on the pitch.”
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August 16, 2021 at 04:29AM
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N’Golo Kante injury: Thomas Tuchel confident Chelsea midfielder will be fit for Arsenal trip - The Athletic
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