‘Key player out’: Full Chelsea squad available for Real Madrid clash confirmed
Chelsea’s 24-man squad to face Real Madrid in the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium tomorrow evening has been unveiled.
The Blues, who head into the contest looking to build on Saturday’s 1-0 win over West Ham United in the Premier League, have been boosted by the fact that head coach Thomas Tuchel has no fresh injury concerns to worry about.
Croatian midfield ace Mateo Kovacic, who has missed the last four matches with a hamstring injury, is the only injury Tuchel currently has to contend with, with the German confirming on Monday afternoon that he would be the only absentee for the trip to the La Liga heavyweights.
“It is only Mateo Kovacic we are missing,’ Tuchel said during his pre-match press conference. “Everyone else is available and everyone else will be in the squad for tomorrow.”
That news will be music to the ears of every Chelsea supporter as it means Tuchel has a huge crop of players to choose from in his attempt to try and put his side in a strong position ahead of the second-leg at Stamford Bridge next week.
Although Tuchel will be relieved to have picked up no fresh injury concerns following the weekend’s victory over West Ham, he does face one or two difficult selection choices.
Right wing-back Reece James will be pushing for a recall against the La Liga side after being dropped to the bench at the weekend, while Kai Havertz will also be eyeing a return.
James’ absence from the starting line-up on Saturday saw Cesar Azpilicueta start at right wing-back, allowing Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to form a back-three, for what Tuchel insisted would give the Blues a height advantage.
Full Chelsea squad confirmed to face Real Madrid:
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero & Edouard Mendy.
Defenders: Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma, Ben Chilwell, Marcos Alonso & Emerson.
Midfielders: Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, N’Golo Kante, Billy Gilmour, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Faustino Anjorin & Jorginho.
Strikers: Tammy Abraham, Timo Werner & Olivier Giroud.