The Blues return to Premier League action on Saturday evening and Thomas Tuchel could be without a few of his star players for the trip
Chelsea will be hoping to continue their brilliant start to the Premier League season on Saturday evening as they travel to Brentford.
COBHAM, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Thomas Tuchel of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on October 15, 2021 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
The Blues are currently top of the Premier League table, but could be leapfrogged by Liverpool before they kick a ball at 5:30pm on Saturday, with the Reds in action against Watford in the afternoon
Antonio Rudiger
The Germany defender suffered a minor back problem during the recent international break, with the Chelsea centre-back missing his country’s clash with North Macedonia in the week.
HAMBURG, GERMANY – OCTOBER 08: George Puscas of Romania is challenged by Antonio Ruediger of Germany during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Germany and Romania at Imtech Arena on October 08, 2021 in Hamburg, Hamburg. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)
Now, Tuchel has confirmed that he will be absent for the trip to Brentford on Saturday.
“He is not (available). Toni Rudiger is injured, he came back injured from national team, so not available.”
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic is stepping up his recovery from injury, but is expected to be absent for this weekend’s clash with Brentford.
The USA winger suffered an ankle injury during the first international break of the season and has been sidelined ever since, with just two appearances in all competitions for the Blues this campaign.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
“Christian Pulisic is still injured,” the Chelsea manager said in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon(http://@chelsea
Expected return date: Unknown.
Thiago Silva
Silva is not injured, but there is a big chance he will miss Chelsea’s short trip on Saturday evening.
The Brazil defender represented his country in the international break and is not expected to return to the UK until Saturday morning, which is likely to see him miss out at the weekend.
What Tuchel has said: “Thiago will be back in the afternoon, hopefully safe from his match in Brazil,” Tuchel said on Friday
“We had our talk today about Brentford, had our tactical training today, and he missed all that.
“He played 90 minutes and he has 12 hours of travelling, so that is the answer maybe about his availability.”
Expected return date: Malmo (H) – Wednesday, October 20.
Hakim Ziyech
Tuchel confirmed on Friday that the Morocco international has missed the last two training sessions and will not be available for selection against Brentford.
Ziyech has featured just six times for Chelsea in all competitions this season, with just one Premier League start to his name, and it seems Blues supporters will have to wait even longer to see the winger in action again.
Tuchel said: “Hakim Ziyech, he missed the last two training sessions with a headache and it seems he won’t be in the squad tomorrow.”
Expected return date: Malmo (H) – Wednesday, October 20.
Romelu Lukaku
There was a slight injury concern regarding the Belgium international, but Tuchel confirmed he will be available for the clash on Saturday evening.
TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 7: (L-R) Romelu Lukaku of Belgium, Lucas Hernandez of France during the UEFA Nations league match between France v Belgium at the Allianz Stadium on October 7, 2021 in Turin Italy (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
What Tuchel has said: “Romelu is fine and will be involved tomorrow.