N’Golo Kante is among Chelsea’s big absentees for tonight’s Champions League showdown with Juventus.
"N’Golo tested positive, unfortunately," said Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel on the eve of the Champions League clash in Turin.
"He needs to follow the government protocols. He was not in training today and, of course, not in the group."
Kante will also miss Saturday’s visit of Southampton in the Premier League.
Mason Mount, Reece James and Christian Pulisic are unavailable for the Juventus game through injury.
James will be out of action for a “minimum” of one more week after twisting his ankle against Manchester City.
James limped out of the 1-0 defeat to City before half-time and Tuchel said: “It’s still very painful, and it will come down to pain management in the end, how much he can accept. But right now we are looking at a minimum of one more week.”
Thiago Silva replaces James tonight, with Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech also coming into Tuchel’s starting XI in Turin.
Chelsea XI: Mendy; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Havertz, Lukaku, Ziyech
Wednesday 29 September 8pm BST
Venue Allianz Stadium, Turin
Injured Mount, Pulisic, James
Ill Kante (Covid)
