Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed his side could miss captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Timo Werner when they take on Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Midfielder Mason Mount is also out of the away trip after damaging ankle ligaments during Chelsea’s win over Palmeiras in the Club World Cup. Tuchel says Azpilicueta and Werner might miss the Palace tie due to fitness issues.
“Of course, Ben Chilwell is out and the two you mentioned [Mount and James],” he said on Friday.
“We have some doubts about Azpi, we need to check today. He felt a bit of discomfort in training the day before yesterday so we need to see him in the training.”
“And to add, Timo Werner has caught a cold so it [the game] seems like it comes too early tomorrow.”
On Reece James
“I had the feeling right from the very start that we had to deal with a big injury and unfortunately, my feeling was right,” Tuchel said during his pre-match press conference.
“We had a little bit of a setback because he caught the flu in the moment when he was very close to rejoin team training. So this was a setback.”
The Blues could however welcome Mount when they take on Liverpool on February 27 in the Carabao Cup final.
📲 Follow Crystal Palace vs Chelsea live.
