A fresh insight into the wellbeing of Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic has been provided on Thursday afternoon.
For those not aware, Croatian international Kovacic was forced into a premature departure from proceedings last night, during Chelsea’s Premier League showdown with Leeds United.
A reckless challenge on the part of Dan James, which resulted in the Welshman being sent for an early bath, left Chelsea’s midfield dynamo in evident pain on the Elland Road turf, before Kovacic ultimately limped out of the clash with what appeared to be an ankle issue.
🗣️ “He got a bit of the ball but a hell of a lot of Kovačić!”
Graeme Souness had no doubts that Dan James’ “reckless” tackle was a straight red card 🟥 pic.twitter.com/LTjftQPHHj
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 11, 2022
Speaking on the back of the full-time whistle in west London, Thomas Tuchel was therefore inevitably asked for an update on the wellbeing of his star man in the middle of the park.
And, in comments which quickly set alarm bells ringing across the Chelsea fanbase, the club’s boss went on to confirm that Kovacic’s injury meant that the former Real Madrid man required nothing short of a ‘miracle’ to be fit in time for this weekend’s FA Cup final:
‘I am not a doctor and we need to wait for the examinations, but it is very likely he can’t play. It is absolutely very bad news for us.’
‘He always plays very strong and is super hungry and determined to play these matches. Of course he is in fear now that he will miss it. We will see, we need to wait. Maybe we have a miracle and we make it possible.’
As alluded to above, though, on Thursday, a fresh insight into the situation has been provided.
And the news has proven of a hugely encouraging nature for all of a Blues persuasion.
As per the reliable Nizaar Kinsella of Goal, Kovacic has escaped ‘any major injury’, and therefore remains in with a shot of featuring against Liverpool on Saturday evening:
Hearing Mateo Kovacic escaped any major injury but he is still in a race to be fit for the FA Cup final. #CFC #FACupfinal
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) May 12, 2022
Mount amongst the goals
Turning attentions back towards the action in Yorkshire on Thursday, Kovacic’s injury of course proved the solitary sour note of an otherwise fine night’s work for Chelsea.
This came as the capital giants, fresh off three successive outings with a victory, turned on the style, en route to an eventual 3-0 triumph.
Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku bagged the goals for Tuchel’s troops, who have now all but ensured their spot in next season’s Champions League group stage.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers
| Chelsea vs Liverpool Result/Both teams score | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 6/1 | 11/2 |
| Liverpool | 3/1 | 5/2 |
| Draw | 7/2 | 11/1 |
