Champions League: Chelsea star N’Golo Kante tested positive for COVID-19, to miss Juventus tie

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante will miss the Champions League trip to Juventus on Wednesday after testing positive for Covid-19, Premier League team manager Thomas Tuchel said on Tuesday.

N’Golo Kante is the latest in the list of absentees for the defending champions’ big-ticket Champions League clash against Juventus as they are also without Christian Pulisic, midfielder Mason Mount and full back Reece James due to injuries

Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel said he does not know how many of the Chelsea players are vaccinated but stressed he has taken the jab. The in-form manager also said he will not force his players to get vaccinated.

“We are a reflection of society, the players are adults and they have a free choice. We should accept it, this is more or less all I can say. I know the situation is far from over… It makes you very aware it is not over,” Tuchel told reporters.

“I’m a football coach, I’m a father within my family… I have enough to do. I’m not fully informed about what vaccinations are all about.

“I’m informed enough to take the decision myself but I’m not in a position to give recommendations publicly, I will not do it.”

I don’t think we are favourites: Tuchel

Tuchel accepted teams would be more motivated to play Chelsea as they are the defending European champions but stopped short of labelling his squad as favourites for the title.

“I don’t think we are the favourites but we’ve shown the performances we’re capable of,” he said.

“We should stay realistic and be clear what we demand of ourselves. The better we do this, the better our performance is.”

Juventus have struggled to get going after Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Manchester United and the Italian side sit 10th in Serie A — 10 points behind leaders Napoli — but Tuchel said he expects them to recover under Massimiliano Allegri.