Mateo Kovacic back in training
Yesterday, 101 brought you the news that
101greatgoals.com/news/chelsea-handed-massive-boost-as-star-man-returns-to-full-training/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Mateo Kovacic had returned to Chelsea
training after having missed the last 6 Premier League games through injury.
Mateo Kovacic set to return to availability for #cfc this week in boost to injury-hit squad. https://t.co/gaFiYXxfP6
— Tom Roddy (@TomRoddy_) December 6, 2021
Given that Saul Niguez has been substituted at halftime in both of his Premier League outings so far this season, Kovacic’s impending return would have come as a welcome bonus to a Chelsea side that has given up ground in the title race, having taken just 4 points from a possible 9 in the last 10 days.
What have we just witnessed?! 😲
Extraordinary from Arthur Masuaku!
David Moyes loves it! 😅 pic.twitter.com/7GsyCfo6x7
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 4, 2021
However, the Blues have been dealt further bad luck.
Bad Luck keeps coming
With N’Golo Kante still absent, Kovacic’s return has been pushed back by at least ten days. The Croatian was back in training “with a big smile” on Monday, but has today tested positive for COVID-19, meaning that he will need to isolate for around 10 days, or return a negative PCR test.
Tuchel confirms Kovacic setback. “Mateo was in training yesterday with a big smile and was pure pleasure to have him back. But he tested positive today for COVID-19, and he is isolating.” #CFC #UCL
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) December 7, 2021
As a result, Chelsea could potentially be without their key man for a further three games, including Premier League ties against Leeds United and Everton, as well as a must-win Champions League tie should they wish to finish top of their group.
Will Saul be able to offer improved performances to fill in for Kovacic, or will Tuchel continue to innovate as he looks for solutions?
Read more:
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Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Manchester City | 15 | 23 | 35 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 15 | 32 | 34 |
| 3 | Chelsea FC | 15 | 26 | 33 |
| 4 | West Ham United | 15 | 9 | 27 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 14 | -1 | 25 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 15 | 1 | 24 |
| 7 | Arsenal FC | 14 | -3 | 23 |
| 8 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 15 | -1 | 21 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 15 | -2 | 20 |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 15 | -3 | 19 |
| 11 | Leicester City | 15 | -4 | 19 |
| 12 | Brentford FC | 15 | -2 | 17 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 15 | -2 | 16 |
| 14 | Leeds United | 15 | -7 | 16 |
| 15 | Southampton FC | 15 | -7 | 16 |
| 16 | Everton FC | 14 | -7 | 15 |
| 17 | Watford FC | 15 | -9 | 13 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 14 | -7 | 10 |
| 19 | Newcastle United | 15 | -13 | 10 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 15 | -23 | 10 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 13 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 9 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 8 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 7 |
| Silva, Bernardo | Manchester City | 7 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 6 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 6 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 6 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 6 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 6 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United | 6 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 6 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 5 |
| King, Joshua | Watford FC | 5 |
| Gray, Demarai | Everton FC | 5 |
| Smith-Rowe, Emile | Arsenal FC | 5 |
| Pukki, Teemu | Norwich City | 5 |
| Cornet, Maxwel | Burnley FC | 5 |
| Sarr, Ismaila | Watford FC | 5 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 6 | |
| Laporte, Aymeric | Manchester City | 1 | 5 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 1 | 4 |
| Canos, Sergi | Brentford FC | 5 | |
| Richarlison | Everton FC | 5 | |
| Ritchie, Matt | Newcastle United | 5 | |
| Westwood, Ashley | Burnley FC | 5 | |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 5 | |
| Duffy, Shane | Brighton & Hove Albion | 5 | |
| Lascelles, Jamaal | Newcastle United | 5 | |
| Neves, Ruben | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 5 | |
| Ward, Joel | Crystal Palace | 5 | |
| Romeu, Oriol | Southampton FC | 5 | |
| Skipp, Oliver | Tottenham Hotspur | 5 | |
| Salisu, Mohammed | Southampton FC | 5 | |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 3 | |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 4 | |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 1 | 3 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 4 | |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 4 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 8 |
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 7 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 7 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 6 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 5 |
| Kovacic, Mateo | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 4 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 4 |
| Redmond, Nathan | Southampton FC | 4 |
| Robertson, Andy | Liverpool FC | 4 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 3 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 3 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 3 |
| Saint-Maximin, Allan | Newcastle United | 3 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 3 |
| Henderson, Jordan | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Canos, Sergi | Brentford FC | 3 |
| Lowton, Matthew | Burnley FC | 3 |