Tuchel hopeful over Mendy, Kante’s fitness ahead of UCL final

Thomas Tuchel is hopeful both Edouard Mendy and N’Golo Kante can win their battles to be fit for Chelsea’s Champions League final against Manchester City on Saturday.

Mendy suffered a rib injury during his side’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday after colliding with the frame of the goal as he tried to prevent Bertrand Traore’s opener.

Chelsea head coach Tuchel was relieved however to receive test results confirming Mendy had avoided any serious injury.

“For Edou, maybe the update is that we still have hope that he joins training on Wednesday and he joins the group,” said Tuchel, ahead of the final in Porto.

“He’s made a huge improvement in the management of pain.

“So we need a further update on Wednesday but we hope to have him back in training.

“Edou will play if he is fit, and if he is not fit on Wednesday we will try on Thursday, and on Friday, and be always reasonable and take the responsibility for this decision.

Kante sat out Sunday’s defeat to Aston Villa after being substituted during the second half of the victory over Leicester earlier in the week.

Tuchel says the France midfielder was taken out of the firing line last week to prevent a potential injury but joked he would be willing to risk him in Saturday’s final against City if it resulted in Chelsea winning the Champions League.

“Nothing has changed”, Tuchel said on Kante’s hamstring concern.

“We will just put him in training when the game starts on Saturday and not speak to doctors and physios on changing tactics. Sounds good to me.”