Mateo Kovacic is in line to miss Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final meeting against Real Madrid but the Croatian international is expected to return in time from his injury for the weekend showdown against Fulham, according to the Blues boss Thomas Tuchel.
Chelsea secured a 1-0 win over city rivals West Ham United on Saturday evening at the London Stadium but the west Londoners were without Kovacic among their ranks with the 26-year-old nursing a muscle injury which has kept him out for the last four outings.
Tuchel confirms major blow over Kovacic’s continued absence
Tuchel confirmed in his interview to Chelsea’s official website that Kovacic’s injury made it difficult for the Blues to adjust to their midfield problems before adding that the Croatian was in the mix to stage a return ahead of the Fulham clash later this week in Premier League action.
At the moment, we’re suffering a bit with our two number sixes because of the injury for Mateo,’ said Tuchel.
‘Hopefully he can come back against Fulham but he did not train with the team yet so I think that Tuesday will be too early unfortunately. He was so happy to play against his former team-mates and he is a crucial player for us.
‘He could have helped a lot in the last games against Brighton and West Ham with his technique and his ball runs but it’s like this. The team is doing an amazing job and we have to keep on going.’
Jorginho-Kante pairing expected to assume first-team duties
In wake of Kovacic’s extended injury troubles, Tuchel has limited options to field in the centre of the park for the Blues meaning that the pairing of Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are heavily tipped to assume their usual roles in the starting eleven come Tuesday at the Santiago Bernebeu.
The midfield department at Stamford Bridge has been left depleted for quite some time with the likes of Ross Barkley and Conor Gallagher exiting last summer in season-long loan deals.
