THOMAS TUCHEL will tread carefully with his Chelsea line-up at Leeds – despite Wednesday’s Premier League clash looking ever more important.
Tuchel’s ‘tired, drained’ Blues are in danger of losing third place to in-form Arsenal – while Leeds need victory to move out of the bottom three.
Romelu Lukaku is likely to start again in attack at Elland Road after his double in Saturday’s 2-2 Prem draw at home to Wolves Credit: Getty
The Blues’ main selection issues for Wednesday could be in defence But ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final with Liverpool at Wembley, the Chelsea boss won’t risk anyone who is not 100 per cent.
That means midfielders Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are again expected to miss out, even if they pass face late fitness tests.
Tuchel said: “We’re fighting for Jorgi and N’Golo but I don’t know if they’ll make it.”
Centre-back Thiago Silva, 37, could be rested – with one eye on Wembley
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So Andreas Christensen and Trevor Chalobah are vying for a role in the middle of defence.
The most contentious decision, though, could be over left-wing back.
Marcos Alonso was hauled off at half-time in last Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Wolves, although the Blues deny any bust-up with Tuchel.
That leaves Malang Sarr and Alonso’s weekend replacement Saul Niguez pressing for a rare start.
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Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are tipped to remain the central pair in midfield.
And Romelu Lukaku’s double against Wolves virtually assures him of another chance to boost his surprise surge for a striking spot at Wembley.
Tuchel said: “This is a match for them (Leeds) when it’s like do or die.
“It’s like a cup match and the atmosphere will be like this.
“We will feel it straight away so we will need to step up.”
Marcos Alonso could yet play at left-back, while Saul Niguez is an outside possibility for a role in midfield if Tuchel keeps his main men fresh And of Chelsea’s erratic form, peaked by Wolves drawing from 2-0 down, Tuchel added: “We look a bit drained, tired mentally.
“You look at our games and it’s understandable. We had some big knockout games after the international break with huge emotional impact.
“Losing to Real Madrid, beating Real Madrid but still being out of the Champions League.
“It’s another reason and everybody knows it. Still, even being tired and distracted, we need to reach a certain level and we can do better than in the last two matches.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
