Press Conference: Thomas Tuchel on Abraham and Silva injuries, Pulisic's future, Havertz role, Leeds and more

Chelsea are set to face Leeds United on Saturday afternoon as the Premier League action resumes. Ahead of the match head coach Thomas Tuchel has talked to the press and provided injury updates, talked on Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz, upcoming rivals Leeds United and more. On Tammy Abraham and Thiago Silva injuries, Blues boss said: "Thiago had a little setback in training at the end of the session, the day before yesterday, he felt something around the same area he was injured. He will be out, the same for Tammy who still has the ankle pain. "I'm a bit concerned because the pain from the tackle against Newcastle is still there. It's been a long time since he's been 100% free and comfortable in training. Even if he finishes in training, I can see he isn't 100% free. I have complete trust in our medical department and they will take care of him. "Tammy had to leave the pitch during the warm-up yesterday and he will get all the time he needs. It's important he feels zero pain and then we can think about his comeback." On Silva and Andreas Christensen battle, Tuchel said: "They can for sure play together. I am sure Andreas can play on both sides of the back three and they can play together if we play a back four. In the back three, I think the position in the middle is the best for Thiago. "For Andreas, it's the same level but he can play on either side too." Amid ongoing exit rumours, the German coach was also asked about Pulisic's future. "When you sign and play for Chelsea, it's part of the job description to be patient and impatient at the same time," said Tuchel. "All of my players are competitors and they want to play every minute. At the same time, when you're not selected, you have to stay patient and not lose confidence. When it was possible for him to start around Sheffield United and Barnsley, one game came too soon and Barnsley wasn't easy. "If you turn it around, it's the duty of the players to show up and really earn to play. This is what Christian does. I feel him in the last days very positive and doing the very best in his situation. "There's a lot of ifs in your question! If he starts tomorrow and does brilliant, if he starts against Atletico and does two goals, maybe he is the captain. I know what you mean but it's too far ahead. We have many games and he is in my plans. "He has the potential to be decisive for us from the bench. As a beginner, can he improve it? Yes. But his job is to be ready like everybody else." On Havertz's best role, Chelsea boss said: "The position between a nine and ten is pretty much his best position. He has the freedom to drop, to switch positions. I feel very confident with him in high positions, I don't want to have him behind the ball. He needs to be high up the pitch and he feels comfortable behind opponents, between the lines, and in little pockets." On the upcoming rivals Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa, Tuchel said: "It's always a challenge but never too personal. When you're a coach in the Premier League, like I said at the beginning, you have the challenge of facing all these big clubs with a big reputation. "There are big teams out there with big history, strong players, strong history. Bielsa is one of the most fascinating managers out there and a big personality. Like with any game, I don't put the pressure on myself. I don't need to out-tactic Marcelo Bielsa. We will focus on us: how to attack, how to defend. "His style of play is very unique, very intense. We see it in all the data from them, this seasona and last season. So it will be a very intense game. There will be a lot of intense runs from Leeds, their midfield is flexible, and they are very attacking. "They try to win every game – they have only had two draws – so they are brave and have courage. They trust their physicality so we have to match it." Source- football.london Join us on Telegram!/ Follow us on Twitter!

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