Three players have been ruled out of our trip to Leeds by Thomas Tuchel, who is now waiting to see if another can play at Elland Road.
At his pre-game press conference at Cobham this afternoon, the manager provided an injury report in addition to the most recent information regarding the transfer window, which has less than two weeks left before it closes.
The main issue that Tuchel must deal with is N’Golo Kante, who tripped during the Tottenham game and left the field in discomfort.
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‘It’s quite serious,’ reported the boss.
“We’re talking about weeks. It’s not good news.
“We are disappointed and sad because N’Golo was super important and super fit, and he will be out for several weeks.
Later, Tuchel made another pair’s absence from the Yorkshire game official.
“Armando is out for some days. He cannot come with us to Leeds. Mateo Kovacic is still out with knee problems.
“Christian Pulisic had Achilles problems but trained today. Let’s see.’
Regarding the transfer market, a journalist queried Tuchel about his frustration with the dearth of signings during the previous ten days.
“I’m the opposite of frustrated. I’m very happy and very confident after last week’s performance.
“We work together about the reinforcements but it’s never easy. You can’t just wish for something, and it will happen.
“As long as the transfer window is open there are always possibilities.
“We know what we are trying and what we are doing, but the focus is on what we have, not what we could have, and this is the team.
“They get the full energy and full attention from us.’
While acknowledging that there have been many media rumors regarding players possibly leaving the club, Tuchel made it plain that he does not want to weaken his team.
“We have had two training sessions with 18 players.
“In a schedule where we play once a week, it’s not a problem.
“If I put the chin up and look at the schedule that is coming, with Southampton during the week and then two Champions League matches, it’s in front of the door and we will need a lot of quality players to be competitive.
“It’s one thing to compete once a week, another to compete 60 times a year and three times a week.
“For that you need a strong group, players who challenge for their minutes, and push each other to the highest level.
“It’s not only about tactics and team spirit, it’s about the challenge within the team and the depth of your squad.
“We are still active in the market and we know what can be possible, but if not, we will make the best out of it.
“At the moment we have what we have, we know what we’re looking for and only from there can we think about letting players go.’
The 19-year-old Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei is one of the players who joined this morning.
Tuchel laid out the strategy for his future at Chelsea and said that he will initially work with the development team.
“I met him yesterday here in the building. We will give him time now to learn the language, to learn what Chelsea is all about, to understand the culture, how we live here, how we train here on a daily basis.
“Once he’s settled in we will give him opportunities to train with us and show his qualities.
“We will assess him, have a clearer picture of him and then we will see.”