Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell have all tested positive for COVID-19.
They have been ruled out of tonight’s game against Everton. Kai Havertz, meanwhile, is awaiting his test results and will also not feature.
Regarding Havertz’s absence this evening, Thomas Tuchel said: “Kai feels unwell, he’s not positive yet but we’re waiting for test results and we decided to not bring him to the squad.”
“We did some extra tests at 12 o’clock today to make sure who would arrive at lunch. From there we had to pick the team. Would it be the same line-up? I don’t know. The situation started yesterday with the players feeling unwell and not training.
“We had to confirm the flow tests and wait for the PCR results. The results are the results and the situation is the situation. We still have a strong squad and one we want to push forward, and that should be able to compete. Like always, we focus on the guys who are there.”
Tuchel confirmed that he had not asked for the game to be postponed because of the outbreak.
It is a significant issue for manager Thomas Tuchel, who has recently been dealing with a spate of injuries. Chilwell was already out with an ACL problem.
However, he was able to welcome Trevoh Chalobah and N’Golo Kante back to first-team training earlier this week after their spells on the sidelines. Chalobah had a hamstring strain but it turned out not to be as bad as was first feared.
Chilwell’s positive test is a step back for the defender. He took part in some light running, although he could still require surgery on his injury.
Chelsea are third in the Premier League after their 3-2 win over Leeds at the weekend. They will be hoping to keep up the pressure on Manchester City at the top with a win against Everton on Thursday night.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, however, a further four games which were due to be played this weekend have been postponed.
They are: Southampton vs Brentford, Watford vs Crystal Palace, West Ham United vs Norwich City and Everton vs Leicester City.
(Photo: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
