Chelsea trio are set to miss the FA Cup match against Championship side Middlesbrough as Tuchel hope ticket issues would be resolved on time.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that academy graduates Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Andreas Christensen will miss the FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough.
Chelsea were without the Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi in the Champions League victory in France Andreas Christensen limped off in the first half.
“We have Reece, Callum and Andreas Christensen uncertain,” Tuchel revealed at his customary pre-match media briefing, which was delivered with journalists in the room.
“They are in training but not in full training yesterday so let’s see. We still some checks to do and it can be a very tight race, maybe too close.’
James was named in the latest England squad on Friday morning, a decision that left Tuchel wasn’t entirely expecting given the defender has only played 147 minutes of football this calendar year.
“Yes and no,” he answered when asked if he was surprised at the call-up. “I would always call Reece up no matter what if I was the head coach of the England national team so I’m not surprised.
“Yesterday he was not match ready so let’s see what happens tomorrow. He comes now from nine weeks of injuries altogether and we have to do late tests to see if he can even do full training today and be match ready for tomorrow, which is a big doubt. If not, it makes no sense for him to go.”
Chelsea supporters away ticket sales was limited due to the sanction imposed on the club and the manager has given his though and hope for a quick solution.
“There are sanctions for a certain reason and we have to respect this,” he added. “I don’t think it matters much if I shout about respecting the integrity of the competition.
“We have sanctions to follow and I have trust in the board who have dialogue with UEFA and the government here to find logical exemptions and solutions for spectators to be in the stadium.
“I can see the point that it should not be about the spectators not attending matches and I’m aware the board is tyring hard to find solutions to the situation.”
