Thomas Tuchel has made an honest admission regarding the exclusion of N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea’s pre-season squad.
The pair did not travel with their teammates on Saturday due to their Covid vaccination status, and will therefore train at Cobham rather than take part in the tour of the United States.
The Blues will face Club America, Charlotte FC and Arsenal before returning to Europe to face Udinese in Italy, being reunited with their midfield pair.
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As it stands, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Billy Gilmour and Conor Gallagher are the current midfield options in pre-season for Tuchel’s side.
Ethan Ampadu and Trevoh Chalobah are among other options to be used in the centre of the park if required over the fortnight in America.
Raheem Sterling has recently joined his new teammates on the tour, having signed from Manchester City for a fee close to £50 million.
Kalidou Koulibaly is set to become the next signing under Tuchel, with a fee being agreed with Napoli as he prepares to join up with Sterling and the rest of the Chelsea team in North America.
However, they will remain without Kante and Loftus-Cheek until they return to Cobham after the tour is finalised.
When asked about the pair missing the tour, Tuchel told football.daily that he would rather have them with his squad.
He said: "It would be much better if they were here. Can we force them to vaccinate?
"No, it's a personal decision. It's a decision most of people take.
"It seems that it's a decision that belongs to our lives now, and still it's their right to not do it. It does not help us as a team and them as professional football players. But we have to respect them.
"I simply refuse to point the finger and blame them, because this is not how we interact here at Chelsea.”
It remains to be seen as to whether Chelsea will add to their midfield options this summer, with the Blues boss set to evaluate Gallagher in pre-season after an impressive campaign at Crystal Palace.
Gilmour, on the other hand, endured a tricky spell at relegated Norwich City but could be handed a chance this pre-season.
Everton are said to be interested in the pair, who will most likely make moves later in the window if they are to depart.
Chelsea will be hoping to close the gap to Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League after finishing third last season.
Topics: Chelsea, NGolo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Premier League, Thomas Tuchel, Football
Nick Emms