Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has been addressing the media ahead of their FA Cup 5th Round tie against Barnsley tomorrow evening.
Unfortunately like always the focus was not surrounding team news, which let’s face it is what fans actually want to know about.
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So we still do not know the fitness of Kai Havertz and if he is available, but we do know he did not train yesterday.
No mate, he didn't train yesterday, @CarefreeYouth got told, but neither of us are sure about today yet 🤔
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) February 10, 2021
They did manage to ask Tuchel about N’Golo Kante and Hakim Ziyech though, who both look likely to start tomorrow.
"N'Golo Kante fits in to any managers plans. He is one of the best midfielders in the world. I am very lucky he is back again. He will start against Barnsley."
– Thomas Tuchel
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) February 10, 2021
There will be a high possibility we see a lot of changes in the team selection tomorrow, confirms Tuchel.
Hakim Ziyech will be involved.
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) February 10, 2021
As well as that, he said there will be many changes.
This could mean opportunities to start for Kurt Zouma, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Billy Gilmour, Hakim Ziyech, N’Golo Kante, Tammy Abraham, Andreas Christensen again, and perhaps Reece James at right centre back.
So with all that in mind, here is my predicted Xl –
(3-4-2-1) – Kepa, James, Christensen, Zouma. Hudson-Odoi, Gilmour, Kante, Emerson. Ziyech, Pulisic, Abraham.
it will be very good to see hakim zeyach playing.