Two Important Chelsea Players Likely to Miss Carabao Cup Final vs Liverpool After Picking Injuries in UCL

• Chelsea's Champions League win celebrations over Lille were hampered by a double injury blow that saw Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech forced off
• Kovacic had to be substituted in the 50th minute after appearing to have picked an injury, with Loftus-Cheek taking his place
• However, Ziyech had to be withdrawn soon after with a suspected ankle injury as Saul Niguez came on to replace him
• It remains unclear if the duo will feature in Chelsea's Carabao Cup final with Liverpool on Sunday, February 27

Premier League giants, Chelsea, have been dealt with a huge double injury blow days ahead of their Carabao Cup final with Liverpool.

The duo of Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziech picked injuries while in action against Lille in the first leg of the Champions League on Tuesday, February 22.

The two were part of Chelsea's starting XI that stunned the French giants 2-0 in the tough Champions League cracker.

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Kovacic, Ziyech forced out

However, the pair was unable to see out the rest of the match, with Kovacic hobbling off after 50 minutes of action.

The Croatian was subsequently replaced with Ruben Loftus-Cheek as Chelsea led the match thanks to Kai Havertz's first-half opener.

But just 10 minutes later, in-form winger Ziyech was also forced off after going down off the ball.

The Moroccan, who has been in hot form appeared to be holding his ankle before he paved way for Saul Niguez who slotted into a three-man midfield.

Thomas Tuchel speaks on Chelsea's double injury blow

Speaking after the match, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel exuded confidence the two players will be able to shake off their injury concerns and feature in the Carabao Cup final.

"Today is Tuesday, there are a lot of days to recover until Sunday. We don't like to have that many injuries and more impact from the bench on a tactical matter," the German noted.

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"I hope they will be ready for Sunday," he added.

Arsenal in talks to sign Napoli star

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Arsenal have opened talks over the possibility of signing Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz in the summer.

Ruiz, who has been an integral squad member in Napoli’s Serie A title push this term will have just a year left on his contract at the end of the ongoing campaign.

It is understood Napoli are open to selling the 25-year-old but potential suitors must meet the player's £16 million valuation fee.