Thomas Tuchel reveal some key players absence ahead of Arsenal’s clash as he further spoke on Lukaku’s dip in form and how they can help him.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that the team will be without midfielder Mateo Kovacic against Arsenal in the Premier League.
The former Real Madrid player was forced off in the first half of their clash against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.
And Tuchel has confirmed that the injury was to his ligaments, meaning that he will need a period on the sidelines that he hopes will be limited to two weeks, but could be longer.
The Chelsea manager also noted that several of his players were doubts after their recent actions in the Champions League and FA Cup, while Calum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell remain sidelined with longer term injuries.
“Kovacic is out for the game. It’s a ligament injury, hopefully not longer than two weeks but that can be a long time for us in terms of games. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell are out. Some other players are doubts but hopefully okay’, Tuchel revealed.
Meanwhile, Sportslciffs believes Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku has good record against fellow London team Arsenal but his recent goalscoring form is not a good story to tell.
Tuchel reveal that the Belgian doesn’t have that influence like he did in the start of the season but insists that they have got the back of the former Inter Milan player.
“We are not there anymore,” Tuchel said of the forward’s early-season form. “He doesn’t have the influence that he had then because it was a very promising start.
“There have been turbulences since then throughout this long period of time but we are trying everything and he has our support to reach this kind of level again. It’s in him and in us. I think he is still at the right place but there are things to improve from all of us so we will not give up.
“For us it’s clear that we can play with Romelu and we can be very strong with Romelu. We proved it, he proved it and he will prove it if he stays involved mentally and he stays involved in the situation. He can grow from it and come out stronger, it’s always like this.”
The former PSG manager admits the disappointment in the dip in form of Lukaku as he insists they will push the Belgium international as far as they can.
“For sure it’s disappointing for him and not what we or what he expected at the moment but it’s not finished and we will not give in. We never give in with any players and he never gives in. We will push him as far as we can and as long as the player stays involved in the mentality that is needed to bring a team forward, he can still be a crucial player.”
