Mateo Kovacic is out for the game vs Arsenal. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel has provided the latest injury update on Mateo Kovacic following their FA Cup win vs Crystal Palace yesterday. His side won the semi-final encounter by a 2-0 scoreline through goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount in the second half.
Kovacic was forced off the pitch even before the half-hour mark had passed in the cup fixture. He picked up the blow much earlier in the match but tried to carry on by brushing it off. However, he succumbed to the ground through pain after failing to overcome the setback. Loftus-Cheek was subbed in for him, which did work out for us in the end.
Speaking in the post-match press conference (h/t Football.London), Tuchel revealed that the Croatian international will undergo tests to get more details about the injury. However, he added that the ankle is swollen right now, and it looks bad from the first diagnosis.
“When Kova comes off, you know that he is in pain. The ankle is swollen, it’s a huge ankle right now. So let’s hope. It doesn’t look so good but we will wait for the examination and we can tell you more.”
The German coach also shut down any fears of N’Golo Kante being injured after he was only brought off only for the final ten minutes or so. The manager expressed that it was purely a tactical decision to have fresh legs in midfield following their game against Real Madrid.
“N’Golo is ok but we decided for Jorgi in the mix because he was out against Madrid and was hungry to play this match. The season is not finished and we wanted to reward Jorgi and Azpi to stay part in this. We also needed some fresh legs so NG is not injured.”
Adam Newson, the club’s correspondent for Football.London, has given further details on the injury sustained by Kovacic on Twitter. Newson has revealed that the midfielder’s knee was heavily bandaged, although he did not need assistance when going through the mixed zone after the game.
With a high-profile match against Arsenal coming up on Wednesday, this update would be a blow nonetheless, as we are currently at risk of losing the 27-year-old through injury for the London derby. That being said, it would be best to wait and see what the Blues boss will say in his pre-match presser ahead of that Premier League game.
The former Real Madrid man has been immense for the West London side, and he is arguably our best midfielder this season. Losing his services would be concerning, to say the least, especially when we face West Ham United and Manchester United following the match against the Gunners on Wednesday.
Loftus-Cheek did well in Kovacic’s stead, so we are handed a sigh of relief in that regard. The Cobham academy graduate has been impressive in the last three games, which gives us some cover in the midfield areas. The update on Kante would please fans as he adds to the options that Tuchel can choose from in the near future.
However, Kante has been a shadow of his best self this year, and he has failed to perform with consistency so far. We hope that he can overcome the issues, especially when we are nearing the crucial part of the season.
As cocky as it may sound, the Blues are more or less guaranteed a place in the top four this season, given Tuchel’s men have two games in hand over Spurs, and United- who we lead by five and 8 points respectively. Arsenal are 8 points behind us as well, but have played just one game more than us.
That being said, fans would hope that in the worst-case scenario, the Croatian star is fit for the FA Cup final against Liverpool in May- a game which now remains our only hope for a trophy this season.
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