Tuchel revealed that Christian Pulisic remains a doubt for the midweek Carabao Cup clash against Aston Villa as Chelsea look to fight for a place in the fourth round.
The Blues boss expressed his concern with the 23-year-old’s current condition ahead of the tie, but hinted that it remains possible that he becomes available.
“I think for Christian (Pulisic), the game against Aston Villa [in the Carabao Cup in midweek] is maybe a bit too close. I hope that I’m wrong but this is my impression.”
“He’s not in training so far but let’s see tomorrow. Maybe if he had a good progression today, maybe it’s possible. It would be super nice for us to have him but for me it’s a bit doubtful.”
Pulisic has featured just twice for Chelsea this season due to injury woes and hasn’t played more than 2,000 minutes in a league campaign since 2017/18 as a potentially wider issue emerges on the horizon.
Manchester United are monitoring Franck Kessie as potential successors to Paul Pogba, should the midfielder leave when his contract expires this summer.
According to Calciomercato, United are aiming to protect themselves in the event that the France World Cup winner turns down a new contract offer.
AC Milan’s Kessie is also a free agent in the summer and may offer an alternative option, but they could face competition for the midfielder, who has also attracted interest from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain.
Mundo Deportivo claims that Manchester United are looking to sign Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.
Kessie, 24, has been linked with Tottenham, PSG, Real Madrid and Juventus as his contract expires in the summer.
Milan want to keep him and have offered new terms, but United may need to replace Paul Pogba in the heart of midfield and Kessie is reportedly on their wishlist.
Liverpool and Chelsea are keeping an eye on Kingsley Coman, as the France winger is tipped to leave Bayern Munich, says The Mirror.
The two Premier League sides were interested in the 25-year-old during the summer transfer window, but were put off by the €100 million demands coming from Bavaria.
Coman’s deal with Bayern runs until the summer of 2023, but he has already spoken of his desire to feel more appreciated at the Allianz Arena or search for pastures new.
Having played for Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Bayern, giants of the French, Italian and German games, it now seems as though he could be moving to a big club in England.
Former Bayern sporting director Christian Nerlinger has previously told BILD TV that he thinks the winger will leave Bayern before the option is there to depart for free.
That would make financial sense for the Bundesliga champions, especially as Coman is yet to start or contribute to a goal in any competition this term. He is now set to be out until October due to discovering a cardiac arrhythmia, which led to him having a minor heart operation after suffering from shortness of breath.
Roy Keane believes Declan Rice is ‘way ahead’ of where he was when he was the same age as the England star.
Another Manchester United legend, Teddy Sheringham has compared Declan Rice to Red Devils greats Roy Keane and Michael Carrick.
Keane was full of praise for the West Ham star before their Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday.
He told Sky Sports: “I think Declan’s improved as much as any player over the last one or two seasons.
“I know he’s been linked with Man United and if you’d have asked me a year or two ago, I would have thought give him another year or two in terms of maturing.
“I look to where I was when I was 22, I think he’s way ahead of me when I was 22.
“I think the next step will come when he’s playing at a higher level, Champions League, competing for trophies. He’s obviously a regular for England. There’s a lot more to come from him.”
Kepa Arrizabalaga has opened up on his relationship with Edouard Mendy after impressing in Chelsea’s win over Tottenham.
The Spanish keeper was back in between the sticks for Sunday’s Premier League clash after Mendy picked up an injury in last week’s win over Zenit St Petersburg.
And Kepa grabbed his opportunity to impress Thomas Tuchel, saving from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane and racing off his line a number of times to keep Tottenham’s attack at bay.
The 26-year-old lost his place as Chelsea’s No1 to Mendy last season – but says the two have “a very good relationship”.
And he pointed to Mendy’s actions when Kepa was the club’s Super Cup hero last month, after he was brought to replace the Senegal keeper just before the penalty shootout.
“Edou and I have a very good relationship,” Kepa told Chelsea’s official website. “We are training together every day and support each other whoever is playing.
“You could see in the Super Cup the relationship we have. He was one of the first players to congratulate me after the penalty shoot-out and of course we celebrated together.
“Hopefully he can return to training soon from his injury.”
DE GEA – 8
Did well in the first half to keep his team in it by denying Jarrod Bowen.
Little to do second period until the final seconds when he won his team the game by denying Mark Noble from the penalty spot.
WAN-BISSAKA – 7
Very proactive in the first half getting forward.
Kept that up in the second and showed no ill-effects from his midweek sending-off.
VARANE – 7
Unlucky for West Ham’s goal in the opening period and was the better out of the centre-backs.
Invited the home side on late on with an overhit backpass that went out for a corner but his partner got him out of jail.
MAGUIRE – 6
The skipper seemed to be differing in the first half and encouraging West Ham to attack.
As always, was a threat from corners but squandered his heading opportunities.
SHAW – 7
A constant threat down the left as he continued his good form.
Was saved by his team-mate at the death after giving away a penalty for handball.
MCTOMINAY – 5
Well off the pace in the first 45 as he struggled to make an impact and was struck right in the mush after the restart.
Did little to affect the game.
FRED – 5
Just like his Scottish midfield partner, offered nothing in the opening period.
Failed to do much in the second.
FERNANDES – 8
Grew into it in the first half after a quiet start as his influence began to grow.
Tried his best to create magic and was United’s star pick, but it just did not happen.
GREENWOOD – 6
Always a threat with his pace but lacked a cutting edge.
REplaced by Lingard in the second and can have no complaints.
POGBA – 6
After an early knock, he shrugged it off to use the ball well.
Failed to offer is usual threat going forward and was taken off with 18 minutes to go.
RONALDO – 7
Never afraid to try his luck, he went in at half time with his fourth goal in eight days.
Furious he never got a penalty late on when he felt he had been fouled by Coufal.
SUBS
LINGARD (ON 73 MINS) – 8
Will have been desperate to make an impact after his midweek mistake and he did just that.
Received a warm reception from the West Ham fans after his heroics last term on loan but he showed sheer quality with his only chance to influence the game.
The strike was worthy to win any game.
SANCHO (ON 73 MINS) – 6
Did not have any opportunity to change the game.
MATIC (ON 88 MINS) – N/A
Too late to make any impact.
Nuno Espírito Santo has idenfitied the reason Tottenham were defeated at home by Chelsea, sating that “there were a lot of things that went wrong”,
Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kante and Antonio Rudiger scored the three goals in the second half of the Premier League London derby to hand Thomas Tuchel’s team joint top of the league with Liverpool.
Although Spurs held their own in the opening half, second-half goals left Tuchel’s visitors unbeaten in their opening five league games.
The first half impasse ended shortly after Chelsea’s manager replaced Mason Mount with Kanté at the interval.
Nuno was left to acknowledge his side remain a work in progress after another anonymous performance from his England striker Harry Kane.
“It was disappointing the way we conceded and it was really hard to get back into the game,” conceded Tottenham’s manager.
“But Chelsea are a very good team and it was a very good first half from us. We have a lot of things to improve on but the first half was really good; that’s the one positive.
“We need more time to work together, we have a lot of problems to solve and, mainly, we need to improve. We need to find solutions but I’m really positive and confident we’ll get there.”
A very nervy clearance early on was almost blocked by Son and made a good stop at the feet of the South Korean as well. Some confident claims in the second half and a decent stop from a fizzing Kane effort. 7
Cesar Azpilicueta
Had his hands full with Son and also Ndombele down his flank. Far more effective after the break after Tuchel switched things up with three midfielders instead of two. 7
Andreas Christensen
Outstanding clearance in the second minute denied a lurking Harry Kane. Didn’t have much to do in the second half as Chelsea cruised after the break. 7
Thiago Silva
Some expert defending one v one in the first 20 minutes and was excellent in the opening 45 minutes, very calm and composed. Thumping header put Chelsea ahead early in the second half and was magnificent throughout. 9
Antonio Rudiger
Headed away most things that came his way and was solid alongside Silva. Marked Harry Kane superbly in the second half as the England captain barely got a sniff. Fabulous finish to score Chelsea’s third in injury time. 8
Marcos Alonso
Got his customary boos in north London. Had a lot of joy down the Spurs left up against Emerson and it was his corner that Thiago Silva headed home to give Chelsea the lead. Ran riot in the second half with three midfielders in position. Good. 7
Jorginho
Didn’t see a lot of the ball in the opening half and when he did, Spurs swarmed around him very quickly to put him off his rhythm. Benefitted hugely from Kante’s introduction and was able to pull the strings again. 7
Mateo Kovacic
Pulled out of position on a few occasions by Ndombele and struggled to keep up with the Frenchman. Better after the break as he and Jorginho ran the show. 7
Mason Mount
Struggled, hasn’t been his usual self so far this season. Nothing came off for him, ran down too many blind alleys and was hooked at half time for Kante as Chelsea changed formation to a 3-5-2. 6
Kai Havertz
A little off the pace in the first half as nothing stuck for him and he was sloppy in possession. Looked tired as well not long into the second half. Not really his day. 6
Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian was constantly being given instructions by Tuchel but couldn’t get into the game. Eric Dier defended him pretty well throughout and kept Lukaku largely quiet. 7
Substitutions
N’Golo Kante (for Mount, 46′)
Instantly freed up space for Jorginho in midfield after his introduction. Somewhat fortunate with the goal that took a wicked deflection but still took the shot on. Made a huge impact. 8
Timo Werner (for Havertz, 70′)
Had one big chance but couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet. Always a threat, looked a little short on confidence but excellent vision to set up Rudiger for the third. 7
