Tuchel trip in jeopardy

THOMAS TUCHEL is not certain to be involved in this week’s Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi after he tested positive for Covid and missed Chelsea’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Plymouth yesterday.

Chelsea flew to Abu Dhabi last night for the week-long trip, where they aim to be crowned world club champions, having qualified by winning the Champions League.

But they will be without their head coach at least initially and he may even have miss the entire tournament.

As a contingency, Tuchel plans to deliver team talks and preparation via Zoom, with assistant Arno Michels, who stepped up yesterday, in charge on the ground.

A Chelsea statement confirmed Tuchel’s positive test. ‘He will now follow necessary self-isolation protocols and hopes to join up with the team in Abu Dhabi later next week,’ it read. The earliest Tuchel could travel is Thursday, with Chelsea due to play the winners of today’s match between UAE champions Al Jazira and Al Hilal, of Saudi Arabia, in a semi-final on Wednesday, with a potential final on Saturday.

However, Tuchel can only end his isolation on Thursday if he tests negative. Abu Dhabi rules state visitors travelling from the UK must have a negative PCR test before arrival and another negative test on arrival at the airport.

Michels, who took charge of Chelsea’s extra time win at home to Plymouth, said: ‘I do not know what the situation is with Thomas and when he’ll return. He has to follow the rules and is in self-isolation.’

The stand-in boss was in constant communication with Tuchel, who was not understood to have any severe symptoms.

Michels confirmed another blow for Chelsea after Mason Mount limped off. ‘Mason felt a muscle injury when having a shot and felt pain,’ he said. ‘He will do tests, hopefully it’s not too bad.’