Tuchel to make ‘last-minute decisions’ on Chelsea trio

Chelsea will hand late fitness tests to Jorginho, Reece James and Timo Werner ahead of Wednesday evening’s Premier League trip to Watford.

The trio trained on Tuesday but require further assessment following Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel, who will once again be without Ben Chilwell, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante, said: “For tomorrow, we have some players in doubt, maybe we need a bit more time, a bit more examination to re-evaluate the status.

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“It’s Reece James, Jorginho and Timo Werner. They all trained today with us and there will be some last-minute decisions about this.”

Jorginho finished third in the Ballon d’Or on Monday evening, behind winner Lionel Messi and runner-up Robert Lewandowski, while Chelsea were crowned club of the year.

Tuchel played down the significance of individual awards but was pleased to celebrate the collective success after his team won the Champions League and the women’s side registered a league and cup double last season.

Asked if the Ballon d’Or was a motivation, the German replied: “For me, not so much because I have huge doubts about individual awards in this game because the game is very complex, it’s related to a lot of luck and it’s a team effort.

“Not one single player can win a match of football, it’s not possible.

Lionel Messi wins his seventh #BallonDor.

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“We don’t do what we do to have in the end individual awards but when you have a lot of nominees and get a prize like yesterday it’s the proof that we showed what the club is all about and how the club is built.”

Asked about the outcome of the Ballon d’Or and whether he had expected Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski to win, Tuchel added: “I take my rights to not have an opinion on this one.

“We had ourselves a player (Jorginho) who won all major trophies and was hugely involved, so it would not have been a surprise if he had lifted the trophy.

“It was a choice and I think it’s an election (vote) and when it’s elected you have to take it and if you like it or not you accept and life goes on pretty easy.

“My players were surprised that Lewandowski didn’t win last year (the event was called off due to coronavirus), so there are some surprises in it. We accept and go on.”

 

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