Ahead of Sunday’s clash between Leeds United and Chelsea, here is the latest team and injury news for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
What’s the latest?
Issuing an update in Friday’s pre-match press conference as per the Chelseafc.com website, Tuchel delivered news surrounding the injury status of his players.
The boss shared news of a major blow ahead of the visit to Elland Road, with N’Golo Kante’s injury that was sustained against Tottenham Hotspur last time out, looking worse than expected.
On Kante, Tuchel said: “It’s quite serious.
“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.”
Armando Broja and Mateo Kovacic will miss out on the clash in Yorkshire, with Christian Pulisic also suffering problems.
On the trio, the Chelsea boss said:
“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.”
A major blow for Chelsea
The long-term absence of Kante will come as a big blow for Tuchel, who openly expressed that he was “disappointed and sad” due to the player being “super important and super fit.”
Kante, who Tuchel has previously described as a “water carrier” and a “world-class player”, as per Ben Dinnery on Twitter, plays a big role as one of a double six partnership in Chelsea’s 3-4-2-1 system.
Under Tuchel, he has developed the attacking side of his game whilst still remaining a key part of the sustainability created in midfield.
The 31-year-old’s 3.11 shot-creating actions and 0.57 goal-creating actions per 90 is elite in comparison to positionally similar players. Over the past season or so, he has asserted himself as a progressive midfielder and averages 7.21 progressive carries, with 2.58 of these carries being in the final third.
With Chelsea’s wing-backs being so pro-active in attack, his role as one of a double six partnership is integral in creating balance and denying central space.
Chelsea will miss him massively against Leeds, who look to create superiority throughout the central areas, so his absence represents a big blow for the side.
