https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/03/18/
tuchel-fa-cup-press-conference-ahead-of-middlesbrough
Tuchel reveals three players uncertain for FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough and
reacts to Reece James's England call-up
18 Mar 2022
Thomas Tuchel has revealed that he has three players facing late fitness
tests ahead of our FA Cup quarter-final tie at Middlesbrough.
https://i.imgur.com/1IRM5Fx.jpg
The Blues were without Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi for our midweek
Champions League win in Lille, while Andreas Christensen limped off in the
first half.
That trio of Academy graduates are all doubtful for the trip to Teesside,
with the team set to train later on Friday afternoon at our Cobham
training base.
'We have Reece, Callum and Andreas Christensen uncertain,' the boss
revealed at his customary pre-match media briefing, which was delivered
with journalists in the room.
https://i.imgur.com/w6RY2Pq.jpg
Christensen limped off in the first half of our midweek Champions League
game
'They are in training but not in full training yesterday so let's see. We
still some checks to do and it can be a very tight race, maybe too close.'
James was named in the latest England squad on Friday morning, a decision
that left Tuchel wasn't entirely expecting given the defender has only
played 147 minutes of football this calendar year.
'Yes and no,' he answered when asked if he was surprised at the call-up.
'I would always call Reece up no matter what if I was the head coach of
the England national team so I'm not surprised.
'Yesterday he was not match ready so let's see what happens tomorrow. He
comes now from nine weeks of injuries altogether and we have to do late
tests to see if he can even do full training today and be match ready for
tomorrow, which is a big doubt. If not, it makes no sense for him to go.'
With ticket sales for away supporters limited due to the sanctions imposed
on the club, Tuchel gave his thoughts on restricting the ability of our
fans to attend games and offered his hope that solutions could be found.
'There are sanctions for a certain reason and we have to respect this,' he
added. 'I don't think it matters much if I shout about respecting the
integrity of the competition.
https://i.imgur.com/zwXY1i0.jpg
'We have sanctions to follow and I have trust in the board who have
dialogue with UEFA and the government here to find logical exemptions and
solutions for spectators to be in the stadium.
'I can see the point that it should not be about the spectators not
attending matches and I'm aware the board is tyring hard to find solutions
to the situation.'