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LONDON − Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic has tested positive for coronavirus just a day after returning to training, manager Thomas Tuchel announced today.
The 27-year-old had been out of action since late October and Tuchel had hoped to ease him back into action this week.
N’Golo Kante, who remains sidelined with a knee issue − while Jorginho, who has been forced to play through the pain of a back problem and will now miss tomorrow’s Champions League trip to Zenit Saint Petersburg − has left Tuchel short of defensive midfielders.
“We have bad news because Mateo was in training yesterday − and with a big smile − and it was a pure pleasure to have him back,” said Tuchel.
“But he tested positive today − for coronavirus − so he’s quarantining for a few days. So, it’s a huge setback for him, personally, and for all of us.”
Chelsea have already qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League and will be confirmed as winners of Group H if they equal or better Juventus’s result against Malmo this week. – AFP, December 7, 2021