Here is your Chelsea morning digest for Sunday, March 14.
Tuchel makes team news admission
Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic will start Wednesday evening's UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Atletico Madrid.
The central-midfielder, who has been nothing short of outstanding since Tuchel took over in west London, played no part in the Blues' goalless draw with Leeds United yesterday, failing to be called upon off the bench.
Tuchel, who once again rotated his pack, called upon N'Golo Kante and Jorginho to be his midfield paring. However, ahead of kick-off, Tuchel revealed that he had granted Kovacic a rest because the Blues will be without both Mason Mount and Jorginho against Atletico through suspension.
"I don't like to do this but in central midfield, we will miss Jorgi and Mason [against Atletico Madrid], so we took the decision to give Kova a rest," he told BT Sport prior to kick-off.
"We normally don't like this but we have two suspensions in midfield so we made changes."
Click here to read the full story.
Duo agree on summer transfer
Both Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand are in the opinion that Chelsea must sign a world class striker this summer, pointing towards Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland as the ideal candidate.
Haaland has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in recent weeks and Tuchel is understood to have earmarked him as his top priority for the summer window.
And for Cole and Ferdinand he is exactly the sort of player they need, as they pinpointed the difference he would make to Chelsea's team following the goalless draw with Leeds.
In part, former Blues ace Cole said: “They need one player for me, Haaland. He’s on the wish-list.
“He’s a No.9. There’s so much in this squad, there’s quality in all areas, such a strong squad."
Click here to read the full story and what they both had to say in full.
Sarr sets out his aspirations
Centre-back Malang Sarr has his sights set on winning a place in the heart of Tuchel's defence at Stamford Bridge next season once his season-long loan at Porto comes to an end.
Sarr joined the Blues last summer and was soon sent out on loan in the hope of bolstering his experience and talents.
The former Nice man has done extremely well for the Portuguese outfit, so much so that he believes he can cement himself in the Blues' side next term.
"I was training with Chelsea before I got loaned," Sarr told L’Equipe, as quoted by the Metro. "The loan was part of the plan. I had to be honest with myself, my season ended in March and I wasn’t going to be successful right away with Chelsea.
"It was the perfect solution because I wanted to do a season at a top club like Porto, to be good and then later win a place at Chelsea."
