Chelsea Head Coach Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that N’ngolo Kante and Christian Pulisic will be fit for today’s champions league quarter final match against FC Porto.
The match will be played at Servilla’s home ground ,Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium at 21:00hrs.
In a Press Conference yesterday Tuchel said that Kante and Pulisic were both fit for today’s clash adding that Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham will be in the squad, but insisted that Kante will start on the bench.
“They are fit enough to be in the squad. Tammy is in the squad, N’Golo will be on the bench.” He said.
Furthermore Chelsea manager also updated fans on the quarrels between Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and Antonio Rudiger which had happened at their training ground after the premiere league giants were defeated by West Brom last Saturday adding that it was an incident that happened accidentally but insisted that the two players were now in good books.
“I would tell you if it was serious but it was not. It was nothing to do with the defeat, it was an incident in training that got heated between Toni and Kepa. I don’t want to play it down, we don’t want to accept these things, but they can happen. It was not awkward, they sorted it out straight after training in an honest and humble way. It showed me that they have a good character.” said Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel says West Brom defeat was a ‘big slap in the face while emphasizing that the blues need to win games all the time, and will not accept conceding 5 goals in a game in future.
However Porto manager Sergio Canceicao said that the defeat of Chelsea against West Brom, were they lost 5-2 was a hazard because they would also encounter another possible defeat in their upcoming fixtures.
“I would prefer they won the last game than lost, these situations ring alarm bells and they get more aware of possible dangers. I don’t like that kind of defeat but it is what it is. ”he said.
Meanwhile the Blues do have the possibility to mix things up, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz fresh for the fray, and Mason Mount seemingly virtually certain to start after he didn’t appear in their Saturday loss.
The London side can secure their win because two key players of FC Porto strikers Mehdi Taremi and midfielder Sergio Oliveira, are suspended for tonight’s first leg. Between them, the pair have accounted for 21 of the Dragons’ 49 goals in the Premiere League and nine of their 32 assists.
The Blues will be buoyed by a record showing if they secure a win, only Real Madrid have beaten Porto more times in continental meetings than the 5 times England Premiere League holders.
