Chelsea take on Leicester City at Stamford Bridge this weekend looking to return to winning ways for the first time since their opening game of the season, having drawn and lost their two games since.
The Blues succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Leeds United last time out and were missing midfield duo N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic for that fixture, along with Armando Broja, while centre back Kalidou Koulibaly picked up a suspension and will therefore miss the next game.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at Stamford Bridge and the expected return dates for those out injured.
Armando Broja
Chelsea youngster Broja was ruled out of last weekend’s clash against Leeds with an unspecified injury, although after only recently returning to action for the start of the season from an ankle problem, it could have been a recurring issue.
The Albanian international had landed on his ankle awkwardly during a training session last month before regaining fitness in time for the opening weekend trip to Everton, yet was ruled out again for the 3-0 defeat at Elland Road. However, it is hoped that he will regain full fitness once again in order to return to the matchday squad on Saturday.
Speaking on August 19, Tuchel said: "Armando is out for some days. He cannot come with us to Leeds."
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Mateo Kovacic
Croatian midfielder Kovacic has missed Chelsea’s last two games after picking up a knee injury and is expected to continue his recovery for the foreseeable future, having already required treatment for the issue.
Kovacic’s only matchday involvement so far this season was as an unused substitute in the opening weekend victory against Everton on August 6, before Tuchel revealed almost two weeks ago that he had picked up a “reaction” in his knee. However, the German has since confirmed that Kovacic is back in training and could feature in Saturday’s clash against Leicester.
Speaking on Friday, Tuchel said: “Kova is back in the group and ready to play some 20 minutes."
N’Golo Kante
Chelsea’s midfielder had started the first two Premier League games of the season before picking up a hamstring problem in the second fixture against Tottenham Hotspur, where he was forced off through injury with five minutes to go in the 2-2 draw.
Kante required on-field treatment from Chelsea’s physio before he was eventually hauled off after being unable to continue, and subsequently missed out on last weekend’s trip to face Leeds, while the Frenchman is expected to remain out of action for at least a month.
Speaking on Friday, Tuchel said: "With N'Golo we are talking about weeks; we are talking about four weeks plus."
Kalidou Koulibaly and Marcos Alonso
Chelsea centre back Koulibaly will be serving a one match suspension after picking up two yellow cards in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Leeds at Elland Road, but will be available for selection once again for the trip to Southampton on August 30.
Marcos Alonso is yet to feature in a single matchday squad this season and could well have played his last game for the Blues as he continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona, with the club allowing him time to sort out his future beyond this summer.
Speaking on August 12, Tuchel said: “Marcos is not in training at the moment as he tries to finalise his move, so he won't be in contention for Sunday.”
