Double FA Cup Final boost for Chelsea

THOMAS Tuchel has hailed two “huge” FA Cup final boosts for Chelsea as Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante have been passed fit to face Leicester.

Croatia star Kovacic has missed nine matches with a hamstring problem but is now ready to return for today’s Wembley showdown.

France World Cup winner Kante was kept out of Wednesday’s 1-0 Premier League loss to Arsenal due to a painful Achilles issue.

But now the Blues boss has confirmed both midfielders are ready to take on the Foxes.

“The whole group is available, Kova is with us again,” said Tuchel.

“It’s huge because Mateo has everything that we need in midfield. He has experience, power, acceleration, deceleration, he can dribble the ball and beat players. He’s fast, he has physical ability and he’s experienced in big games and in the Premier League.

“When we missed N’Golo and Mateo in the same match we lacked a lot of quality, energy and experience.

“Billy Gilmour did a huge job in both games but it’s not fair to compare him to these players because they have more experience.

“It’s what we need in the key moments of the season. It’s big news for us that Kova is back, he has a huge impact in the dressing room around big matches.”

Kante formed a pivotal part of Leicester’s Premier League title win in 2015 and will now go up against his old club in the final.

Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday has left the Blues exposed in their quest for a top-four Premier League finish.

Tuchel’s men will face Leicester again on Tuesday in a crucial league encounter, with the Blues boss accepting the two quick-fire Foxes clashes could now prove the crux of the close to their season.

“These are two finals and we don’t think about anything other than the two finals,” said Tuchel.

“There’s the final for the cup and the final for the top four.”