Tuchel states that defender is out but provides update on attacking duo and reports on issues for Pulisic
There appeared to be some mixed news relating to injuries ahead of our trip to Southampton on Saturday lunchtime, with Thiago set to be ruled out of the game at St Mary's and Christian Pulisic unlikely to travel, even though others who were a doubt were expected to be available.
In his pre-press match conference Thomas Tuchel reported from Cobham through a video link, speaking before the final training session before Chelsea headed to Southampton this afternoon.
Whilst this meant that Tuchel could not be a 100 percent certain about the condition of all of his players ahead of Saturday's game, he was able to reveal that Thiago Silva would not be involved at St Mary's.
Tuchel stated 'Thiago will be out of the game as he is not already.'
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| Thiago Silva will not feature in Saturday's game against Southampton despite training with the team yesterday |
Thiago Silva has not featured since coming off early in Chelsea win over Tottenham at the beginning of the month. Meanwhile Pulisic would also be a doubt having reporting with a tight calf injury in training.
Kai Havertz, who has missed the last four games for Chelsea, and Tammy Abraham, who sustained a leg injury during Chelsea's victory over Newcastle, were both considered likely for selection.
Tuchel said 'We have some issues with the calf of Pulisic'. 'It's nothing too big, it just feels a little and is a bit of a risk.'
'On Tammy he is feeling good. He is available for training today and, if things go well, he will be in the squad. Kai Havertz has also been training with us and will join us at Southampton.'
Tuchel on Pulisic's injury record since joining Chelsea
'We are neither concerned nor worried as our medical department is looking into that. We know have little issues in his calf which resulted in him not training yesterday before it would actually become an injury so I would not say that it's an injury at the moment. It's often risk management which relates to his history of him being injured and this is not a cycle we want to enter again.'
It's something like this and the main thing is for Christian to remain positive, keep his head up and be ready as he is able to have a big impact whenever he starts and can also have a big impact of the bench with his intensity.
'There is a reason why Chelsea bought Christian, for both his quality and potential so it is therefore our job to ensure that we bring out the best in him. He has already proven in weeks that he is up to the level to make it as a regular player at Chelsea, keen to have a big impact at the club and it is a challenge now to maintain this level and to continue improving.'
Tuchel insists team are gaining confidence by having an assertive style of play, whatever the game
'In our game against Tottenham it was a big game and we played very well and executed our plans perfectly. We showed braveness in wanting to play our game and impose our style on our opponents and this is what we want to do to be able to play the same game no matter who our opponents are.'
'Sometimes it often feels difficult to beat Barnsley, a team who are in the championship, but on that day they were the hardest team to beat as this is always the case in football so the main challenge is to now be ready for tomorrow.'
Finally Tuchel on the future of Fikayo Tomori alongside other players on loan
'To be honest with you I have not spent anytime thinking about Tomori, not because I don't like him as a person or because I don't see potential in him but simply because there was no time. Every minute which I spend at Cobham is for the guys who are currently here.'
'It's often a tradition at Chelsea that many youngsters go out on loan if they are unable to get minutes here. This is a good thing for me as it has always been the target for me to be able to have made in in different circumstances, players who show their qualities in both different cultures and different clubs.'
'It is always a good sign so we will have this conversation in the next weeks and months with those guys who are not out on loan. Of course I have a great impression of Tomori which means he has high potential but I am not going to go into all those details now.'
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