Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has tested positive for COVID-19 just days before the Blues’ Club World Cup campaign gets underway.
The club announced the news on Saturday (February 5), before their FA Cup fourth-round match against Plymouth Argyle.
It’s expected that Tuchel will go into self-isolation and the club said he would most likely join up with the team in Abu Dhabi next week for the Club World Cup. The team will fly out after the FA Cup game.
Tuchel will now follow Covid isolation guidelines and will be unable to join his squad in flying to the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi after the match.
However, Chelsea confirmed that he intends to travel to the Middle East when allowed to do so.
Their Club World Cup semi-final takes place on Wednesday, February 9 against Al Hilal or Al Jazira, with the final scheduled for the following Saturday.
Palmeiras, Al Ahly or Monterrey await in the final if the Blues qualify, with a third-placed play-off game scheduled for the same day between the losing semi-finalists.
NHS guidelines state that people who have tested positive for Covid can leave isolation after five days if they can provide two negative tests and do not have a high temperature.
