Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel could be without just one key player for Tuesday’s Champions League group stage meeting with Swedish champions Malmo.
The Blues, who are currently sitting in second place in Group H ahead of Zenit Saint Petersburg on goal difference with three points, received nearly a clean bill of health ahead of the midweek clash.
Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech and Christain Pulisic were the main injury doubts ahead of this group stage affair but only the latter will be missing out entirely, according to Tuchel.
“It is very easy, only Christian Pulisic is missing,” the German revealed in his pre-Malmo press conference on Tuesday.
He then went on to describe the long-term nature of the American’s injury and what has been happening behind the scenes regarding his rehabilitation.
He explained: “He got injured with the USA, he had a tough foul on his ankle. There is nothing to worry that we are hiding details or not telling you, I cannot give you the details because I am simply not a doctor.
“He has some setbacks from pain, not from a major injury or complication; it is simply pain in the ankle that disturbs him.
“When players like Christian, with their quick movements, they feel this pain and are not free in the movement, the recovery is not happening so you start all over again then the pain comes back when you reach a point, then you pause and start all over again.
“We are very close. He was so close to coming back to team training last week but then he had a setback and a little reaction in pain, nothing serious.
“He is very impatient, we can see him suffer in every meeting and when we see him here. He wants to be on the pitch and help us, to do his best but unfortunately, the injury takes its time.”
Full Chelsea squad
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli, Edouard Mendy.
Defenders: Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen, Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta.
Midfielders: Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Saul Niguez, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz.
Forwards: Callum Hudson-Odoi, Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech.
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