Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that N’Golo Kante has tested positive for COVID-19.
Kante will miss Chelsea’s match against Juventus on Wednesday; however, he will be available for their match against Southampton. This makes it unlikely that he would be able to play against France in their upcoming games, including a UEFA Nations League semifinal against Belgium.
Tuchel did not address Kante’s status for the game with Juventus in his press conference, which will also miss Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Reece James because of injuries. Kante’s manager revealed that the midfielder had been ill and missed games this season due to a groin injury after Chelsea’s loss to Manchester City.
Asked to address vaccination rates within his squad, Tuchel said: “I don’t know the percentage actually. We are only a reflection of society and the players are adults and have a free choice if they want to get vaccinated or not. We should accept it.
“This is more or less everything I can say. I know the situation is far from over and every time someone gets it here or from our group it makes you very aware it’s not over. I hope it gets as small as possible but I clearly don’t have the solution to this.”
As to whether he would be pushing for his players to get vaccinated, he added: “It would be easy to say yes [players should get vaccinated] and get the applause for lots of people but do I have the right to say it? I’m not so sure. I can make the decision for myself… Vaccination seems to be a proper protection, I am vaccinated, but I don’t really see myself in the proper position to speak out with recommendations. That would go too far. I’m a football coach, I’m not 100 percent expert in this.
“Everyone is adult enough, we live in a free society. People can take their choices.
“We are not angry at N’Golo. I’m concerned about him, I’m worried about him like I am my injured players who take a kick in the game.”
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