Chelsea Coach Tests Positive For COVID-19
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
Tuchel will therefore be absent when the Blues take on Steven Schumacher’s League One outfit at Stamford Bridge as he begins a period of self-isolation.
The German is hoping to join up with his side in Abu Dhabi later next week, where they will be contesting this year’s Club World Cup.
After their FA Cup meeting with Plymouth, Chelsea stars will make their way to the Middle East for the annual competition.
UK Covid regulations state that any person testing positive for Covid-19 must self-isolate for at least five days, meaning Tuchel will not be able to jet out to Abu Dhabi until next Thursday.
But with the west London club’s semi-final fixture coming on Wednesday, he would only make it in time for their appearance in either the final or the third-place playoff match next weekend.
And to further complicate matters, Tuchel will also have to do a PCR test upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, where he would be forced to isolate for up to 10 days if he returns another positive test.
Should that nightmare scenario play out, he could miss crucial Premier League and Champions League outings against Crystal Palace and Lille later this month.
Assistant manager Arno Michels will be taking charge from the touchline against Plymouth on Saturday in Tuchel’s absence.
Tuchel has named a strong starting XI despite their being 47 places between the twosides from the Premier League to League One.
Romelu Lukaku is leading the line for Chelsea, with Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech flanking him in attack.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic are some of the other big names to get the nod for the Blues.
Plymouth, meanwhile, have made three changes to the team that won 3-1 away at Doncaster last Saturday.
