Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel arrives in Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup final against Palmeiras
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Updated 11/02/2022 at 18:59 GMT
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has arrived in Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup final against Palmeiras. Tuchel had stayed behind at his home in Surrey having tested positive for Covid-19 last Saturday. But now - provided he returns a negative test ahead of Saturday's game against the Brazilians - he will be in the dugout.
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Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has landed in Abu Dhabi ahead of his side's Club World Cup final against Palmeiras.
Tuchel had stayed behind in the UK following his positive Covid-19 test last Saturday, remaining in isolation while his team progressed through to the final.
But the German has now passed protocols sufficiently and is now on the ground in the UAE.
Having beaten AFC Champions League holders Al Hilal in the semi-finals on Wednesday, the Blues will face Brazilian giants Palmeiras in the showpiece final on Saturday afternoon. Blues first-team coach Zsolt Low presided over the win against Al Hilal but he will now be joined by Tuchel in the dugout, provided the German returns a negative test prior to the game.
Tuchel and his staff face a difficult decision over which goalkeeper to select against Palmeiras, with Edouard Mendy back in contention having returned from a triumphant Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Senegal. Kepa Arrizabalaga has equipped himself well in Mendy’s absence, making a couple of crucial saves against Al Hilal as Chelsea held onto their narrow 1-0 lead.
Asked who would start between the sticks against Palmeiras, Low said: “We are very happy with both goalkeepers.
“It’s a good, comfortable situation to have two goalkeepers like this. When Edou couldn’t be with the team, Kepa stepped up and brought big performances.
“Now Edou is back, he is fresh. Now he is fully involved in yesterday’s training and training later today. We are very happy he is healthy. He is in good shape with good experience behind him, and he is absolutely ready to play the game [if selected].
“We have to take this decision tonight or latest tomorrow. We talk to Thomas about it, we talk with the goalkeeper coaches, and we will make the final decision tomorrow, some hours before the game.
“Whoever sits on the bench has nothing to be worried or sad about. Both goalkeepers have had big performances in the last weeks, and that’s why it’s just a decision for this game.”
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