Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic tests positive for Covid just a DAY after returning to training following hamstring injury, reveals boss Thomas Tuchel – with Croat now unavailable for Zenit St Petersburg trip on Wednesday
- Mateo Kovacic has been out of action for Chelsea due to a hamstring injury
- The Blues midfielder returned to training on Monday after missing eight games
- But Thomas Tuchel revealed he tested positive for Covid and is now in isolation
- The Chelsea boss is also missing Jorginho and N’Golo Kante for the trip to Russia
Thomas Tuchel revealed that Mateo Kovacic has tested positive for Covid just one day after returning to training following a lengthy hamstring injury.
The Croatian midfielder has missed the Blues’ last eight games due to an injury picked up in training in October.
The Chelsea boss was expecting a boost to his squad ahead of the final Champions League group clash away at Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday night, however Kovacic is now in isolation.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel revealed that Mateo Kovacic has tested positive for Covid today
Kovacic returned to training on Monday but is now in isolation after his positive test today
‘Mateo was in training yesterday with a big smile and was pure pleasure to have him back,’ Tuchel said.
‘But he tested positive today for Covid and is isolating.’
Tuchel also confirmed that Jorginho and N’Golo Kante won’t be available to him for the trip to Russia.
The Blues boss was also quizzed on whether he was worried about his side’s form after Saturday’s loss at West Ham – and whether he will make changes tomorrow in the Champions League.
‘We dropped some points against Man United, a found a solution to win at Watford, and we lost with a freak shot against West Ham,’ he said.
‘We had this before. We lost games and we don’t like it. We’re not worried.
Fellow midfielders N’Golo Kante (left) and Jorginho (right) are also not available to Tuchel
The Blues lost their last Premier League game late on in dramatic fashion at West Ham Utd
‘We had a bit of an acute overload due to injuries and the schedule. Due to our injuries in some position, like central midfield, when we struggle. The game tomorrow is not the problem, it’s more the game that comes up on the Saturday…
‘The problem is the next match on Saturday because we will lose time to sleep, arrive back very early on Thursday, and then we face an intense team in Leeds who have prepared to face this match.’
Chelsea, who are certain of qualification to the knockout-stages, will finish top of their group if they better Juventus’ result against Malmo.