Thomas Tuchel gives latest Chelsea team news ahead of Tottenham Hotspur clash in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. (GETTY Images)
Team News: Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has ruled out the possibility of veteran defender Thiago Silva making a return from injury in the Blues’ FA Cup trip to Barnsley.
The Brazilian missed the 2-1 win over Sheffield United after being forced off the pitch with a muscle problem against Tottenham last week.
While Tuchel has assured the fans the 36-year-old has been making strides in his recovery process, the German has confirmed that the trip to Oakwell will come way too early for the centre-back. Tuchel said (h/t Football London) in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday:
“He’s out. He feels now better and better. He’s had a lot of treatment and I know Thiago very well from the last years, we can be absolutely sure he is spending every minute available to speed up the process of healing, but it takes its time.
“It is a muscle injury. We cannot force, we cannot pull the grass to make it grow faster. It is like this with muscle injuries. So he is out for tomorrow for sure.”
Silva has been a key cog in Chelsea’s backline since coming through the door at Stamford Bridge. The Brazilian has started 17 out of the club’s 23 league fixtures so far this season, offering some much-needed experience and leadership at the back.
The veteran’s absence is unlikely to present a concern for the manager against Barnsley. Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have looked solid recently while Kurt Zouma is also waiting in the wings to make a return.
Tuchel and Silva previously enjoyed a healthy working relationship during their time together at the French capital. The duo won two Ligue 1 titles, while the centre-back was also instrumental in PSG’s march to the final of the Champions League under the German gaffer last season.
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