CHELSEA will look to take another step to qualifying for the Champions League once again when they host Arsenal tomorrow night.
But it could be a new-look midfield with Mateo Kovacic AND Jorginho both expected to be out.
Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic could both miss the clash against Arsenal Credit: AP
The Gunners head to Stamford Bridge for a 7.45 pm kick-off in West London, themselves hoping to end a horror run of three straight defeats.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed Croatian Kovacic will be out with a ligament injury while Jorginho may be given a well-earned rest.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell remain sidelined.
Tuchel said: “Kova is out for the game, a ligament injury. Hopefully, [he will] not be longer than two weeks out.
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Tuchel SLAMS Lukaku’s fitness whilst Inter re-open the door for possible return “This is a long time for us in terms of games. Hopefully, as short as possible.
“Callum Hudson-Odoi out for the game and Ben Chilwell is out for the game.
“There are some players in doubt – which we need to examine – but hopefully, the rest is okay.”
On Jorginho, Tuchel added: “He played injured, sacrificed himself for the team [earlier this season] and I think you see it now.
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“We see now we overused him. I have the feeling we see the consequences of this huge amount of matches.
“If he plays he is always fully involved, gives everything, and plays with a lot of effort. He has to be absolutely fresh to have the influence he normally has.
“He is not mentally, physically in the freshest moment at the minute. He is not to blame.
“It affects how I analyse it, he had two or three situations where he could do better [against Crystal Palace]. Nothing personal. Nothing that stands between us.”
Edouard Mendy is expected to start in goal with Reece James continuing at right centre-back as he builds his fitness.
He will likely partner Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger with Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso at wing-back.
N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be the midfield pairing with plenty of options in attack.
Mason Mount is almost certain to start and could support Kai Havertz and Timo Werner in attack like at the Bernabeu.
However, Romelu Lukaku scored against Arsenal earlier in the season and could be brought back in to face Mikel Arteta’s under-pressure side.
Elsewhere, Andreas Christensen could be an option at the back while Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech may feature.
Thomas Tuchel needs to works out whether or not to start Romelu Lukaku Credit: Getty Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
