MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 01:15:36| >> :60:2285:2285:

Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic tests positive for coronavirus

Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic tests positive for coronavirus
© Reuters
Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel reveals that midfielder Mateo Kovacic has tested positive for coronavirus, ruling him put of the club's upcoming fixtures.

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Mateo Kovacic has tested positive for coronavirus.

Having been absent since October 26 through injury, the midfielder made his return to the training pitch on Monday, putting him in contention for Saturday's Premier League game with Leeds United.

However, the 27-year-old has now tested positive for coronavirus, and Tuchel could not hide his frustration as he spoke to the media on Tuesday.

The German told reporters: "We have bad news because Mateo was in training yesterday with a big smile and it was pure pleasure to have him back, but now he has tested positive for coronavirus.

"He is isolating and out for another several days. It's a huge setback for him personally and for all of us."

Given that the Croatia international will also need to come through training sessions with the team upon his return, he may not come back into contention until the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 19.

ID:472188:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect1495:
Written by
Darren Plant

Click here for more stories about Mateo Kovacic

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Game History

How you voted: Zenit vs Chelsea

Zenit St Petersburg
12.8%
Draw
11.3%
Chelsea
75.9%
452
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Hungary's Attila Szalai pictured in June 2021
Read Next:
Chelsea 'do not have deal in place for Attila Szalai'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!