Chelsea take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday and manager Thomas Tuchel will see the return of some key players.
Christian Pulisic though is the big miss after testing positive for COVID but Hakim Ziyech and N’Golo Kante are both back in training and could play against the Gunners.
‘With Christian, it’s unfortunately very easy to explain,’ said Tuchel, as per the club’s official website.
‘He had a positive test and needs to follow the protocols so he won’t be available for the game.
‘Hakim and N’Golo were both in training today and they had no problems. We need to have a more intense session tomorrow with them and the team before we decide but right now it seems positive that both can be in the squad for Sunday.’
Will both Hakim Ziyech and Kante start for Chelsea?
N’Golo Kante missed the Crystal Palace game and as per the latest updates, he should be starting alongside Jorginho in central midfield.
But the manager has thrown caution to the wind when it comes to Hakim Ziyech’s selection, claiming that he might not be rushed back.
The manager added: ‘Tomorrow is a decisive training session for him where we will see how far it can go and how much sense it makes. The good thing with a shoulder injury is you can still run and keep your fitness so you don’t lose too much of that.
Hakim Ziyech is back in training!!! So pleased to see him back as he has been in great form in preseason. pic.twitter.com/ueec6inSYa
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) August 19, 2021
‘He has many training sessions in his legs so once he gives the green light and feels totally free then hopefully he can find his performance from this season very quickly.’
Apart from these two players, Romelu Lukaku will also be in the matchday squad and the manager has hinted that the summer signing could lead the line on Sunday.
Talking about Lukaku’s chances, Tuchel said: ‘Today [Friday] was lower intensity and tomorrow we have important training for the match but we are hoping he will be on the pitch for Sunday and things look like it.’
