Thomas Tuchel admitted he is facing a final hour call on the fitness of Mason Mount ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League tie with Juventus.
Speaking to the club website, Tuchel revealed he was still in the dark about Mount’s current health situation.
The midfielder missed Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Manchester City after picking up a knock mid-week against Aston Villa.
That was the first match he failed to attend due to fitness since 2019.
His absence was certainly felt by the home side, who changed formation to try and cope without the Englishman’s presence.
Chelsea paid the price of experimenting with a new concoction, a remedy they must fix before taking on Juventus in two days.
One element the Blues are hesitant to add into the mixture is Mount’s medicine.
“I absolutely don’t know; we have to see,” said Tuchel about the 22-year-old’s potential inclusion for the European tie.
“In the end it will be a matter of hours as to whether he makes it or not.”
Have to make a call Mas-oon
Such last-minute decisions can play havoc with a team’s preparation.
Especially if a manager is holding out for a key player, like Mount, to be available.
Although this season has been slightly hit and miss for the talented international, his importance to the team cannot be understated.
Energy in abundance, tactically astute and technical gifted, the shining Cobham pupil offers something different to Chelsea’s make-up.
Mount’s effectiveness in the final third shouldn’t be sneered out either.
Despite a lack of goals and assists this campaign – one in total – he leads the way in terms of big chances created for the Blues (three, according to the Premier League).
It’s not like Tuchel doesn’t have anyone else to fill Mount’s shoes versus Juve.
But nobody laces their boots quite like the England gem.