Football: Soccer-Chelsea’s Kovacic tests positive for COVID-19 while injuries mount

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(Reuters) -Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 forward of their last Champions League group sport at Zenit St Petersburg while 4 different gamers are out injured, supervisor Thomas Tuchel stated on Tuesday.

Kovacic, who has 5 league assists, was again in competition for the primary time since October after a thigh harm dominated the Croatia worldwide out of Chelsea’s final eight video games in all competitions.

“Mateo was in coaching yesterday with a giant smile and (it)was pure pleasure to have him again, however he examined positive right now for COVID-19 and is isolating,” Tuchel informed reporters forward of Wednesday’s sport.

“I used to be conscious that this (extra COVID-19 circumstances) may occur and I’m not comfortable about it, not solely as a supervisor however as an individual. But that is what actuality is in the intervening time, so we have now to be able to adapt and safe individuals’s well being.”

Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante (each knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh) and Jorginho (again drawback) are additionally dominated out for Wednesday’s sport.

Kai Havertz limped off at halftime throughout their 3-2 Premier League defeat at West Ham United on the weekend, however the German was again in coaching on Tuesday.

Tuchel stated Chelsea have “an acute overload” as a consequence of injuries and a busy schedule, with the workforce as a consequence of play six extra matches in all competitions this month after they return from Russia.

“Due to injuries in some positions, like central midfield, we wrestle, however the sport tomorrow isn’t an issue when it comes to being overloaded,” Tuchel added.

“The drawback is the subsequent match on Saturday (in opposition to Leeds United) as a result of we are going to lose time to sleep, arrive again very early on Thursday… Then we face an intense workforce in Leeds who’ve ready to play this match.”

Chelsea have already certified for the Champions League’s knockout levels and are tied on 12 factors with Juventus on the high of Group H. The London membership can end as group leaders in the event that they match or higher Juventus’ outcome in opposition to Malmo.

(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Rohith Nair)



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