Blow to Chelsea as Thomas Tuchel Names Star Player Unlikely to Play in The FA Cup Final vs Liverpool

• Chelsea have been dealt a huge injury blow in Mateo Kovacic just days before their FA Cup final meeting with Liverpool
• According to Thomas Tuchel, the Croatian is unlikely to play any role in the Saturday, May 14, clash at Wembley Stadium
• Kovacic picked an ankle injury during Chelsea's Premier League encounter against Leeds United on Wednesday night

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has disclosed Mateo Kovacic is unlikely to feature against Liverpool during the upcoming FA Cup final.

The Blues are scheduled to face Liverpool on Saturday, May 14, at Wembley Stadium, with the clash representing a realistic chance for Tuchel's men to end the season on a high.

However, the German tactician could miss a number of key players for the encounter, with Kovacic the standout member unlikely to play any role in the match.

Why Kovacic could miss the FA Cup final

Kovacic is understood to have suffered a serious injury during Chelsea's Premier League meeting against Leeds United on Wednesday night, May 11.

Jurgen Klopp reacts to Erling Haaland's imminent transfer move to Man City

Football

The midfielder was on the wrong end of a rash challenge from Leeds forward Dan James at Elland Road, with the Ex-Man United ace seeing a straight red card in the process.

The 28-year-old Croatian attempted to play on but was soon forced out midway through the match.

Thomas Tuchel admits Mateo Kovacic is a doubt for their FA Cup final

Tuchel has now come out to share details on Kovacic's condition ahead of his side's clash with Liverpool.

The Blues boss revealed his starman injured his ankle and is now a major doubt for what could be Chelsea's biggest game of the season.

"It looks swollen and painful. It’s the same ankle he had injured already. It doesn’t look good," Tuchel was quoted saying by Metro UK.

"I tell you not as a coach and not as an expert, but for me, it is very unlikely," he added while assessing the midfielder's chances of featuring on Saturday.

Thomas Tuchel demands Chelsea players to train on an off day as he seeks to clinch a Champions League spot

Football

Chelsea want Barca star in the summer

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Chelsea are reportedly open to letting Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso join Barcelona in the summer in exchange for Sergio Dest.

Both Alonso and Azpilicueta have been linked with a switch to the Camp Nou ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

According to reports in Spain, Barcelona have 'total conviction' an agreement will soon be reached for the transfers of both Alonso and Azpilicueta.

However, Chelsea are looking to exchange the two veteran defenders for Sergino Dest in a makeweight deal.