Here are your Chelsea evening headlines for Wednesday, February 3.
Champions League squad confirmed
Chelsea have today confirmed their UEFA Champions League squad for their upcoming last-16 tie with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
After sailing through the group stage with minimal fuss, the Blues face a stern looking test against the La Liga outfit, with the first-leg of their last-16 showdown penciled in for Tuesday, February 23 at the Wanda Metropolitano in Spain.
With the January transfer window having proven to be a quiet period for the Blues, with no new signings having been made, their squad for the knockout stages has not presented any kind of surprises.
The headline decisions that have been made by head coach Thomas Tuchel, who guided Paris Saint-Germain to the final of the competition last season, are that both Tino Anjorin and Henry Lawrence have been included on the B list.
Tuchel sweating over duo
Chelsea could be without centre-back Kurt Zouma and attacking-midfielder Kai Havertz for tomorrow evening’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur, Tuchel has confirmed.
The German chief, who has never faced Spurs boss Jose Mourinho in his career, confirmed during his pre-match press conference this lunchtime that the pair had picked up injury problems during this morning’s training session at Cobham.
Although he would not confirm what the details of the injuries were, he is unsure whether they will be fit enough to play any part in the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tuchel said: “We had two little issues today on the training pitch. It was Kurt Zouma and Kai Havertz who went off the pitch with little issues so they are checking issues and doing images right now.
Rudiger lays down a marker
Defender Antonio Rudiger is looking to hold onto his place in the starting line-up at Stamford Bridge after working his way back into the fold following Tuchel’s recent arrival in west London.
The centre-back had made just four Premier League appearances prior to Tuchel’s appointment last week but has since increased that tally to six.
Rudiger told Chelsea’s official club website: “Since the beginning of the season, my target has always been to start games and to try and help the team.
“Even when I was out of the side, I always said I wanted to fight my way back into the team and I’ve managed to do that recently.
“I’ve started the last four games and we’ve kept three clean sheets, so as a defender that is always pleasing.
“As a player, I’m very committed and I’m not the sort of guy to give up. Any chance I get to be on the pitch, I will always give it 100 per cent.”
Follow our socials Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Google News.
