Chelsea's Lukaku still a doubt against Juventus, Jorginho fit
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will take a late call on
including striker Romelu Lukaku for their Champions League group game with
Juventus, but said on Monday that midfielder Jorginho was fit after coming off
against Leicester City at the weekend.
Lukaku has not featured since injuring his ankle in their
4-0 win against Malmo last month, but was expected to return to action against
the Italians on Tuesday.
"Not sure yet (about Lukaku). He seemed okay in
training yesterday, we'll see about the reaction. He has an appointment with
the doctors and physios... the last minutes would be the absolute
maximum," Tuchel told reporters.
"Jorginho is absolutely okay. Kai (Havertz) had a
hamstring problem so we took him off and we have some doubts. This is more or
less the question mark."
Holders Chelsea, who were beaten in the reverse fixture in
September, trail leaders Juventus by three points after four games in Group H.
The London side need to avoid defeat at Stamford Bridge to
confirm their place in the round of 16.
"We'll not risk our qualification and go all in if the
situation (with Lukaku's injury) is like this, but we'll try everything to win
the group and to do this, we have to win the game," said Tuchel.
The German, however, said he had enough options to make up
for the absence of the Belgium international, especially with forward Timo
Werner back in the squad after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
"We always had the options. It's on the players. When
they're needed and when they have the chance to show their potential, they need
to ... be ready. That's life at Chelsea ... this is what they do in a very
impressive way," Tuchel said.
No comments