By AFP 07 December 2021 | 2:29 pm Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic has tested positive for coronavirus just a day after returning to training, manager Thomas Tuchel announced on Tuesday. Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic PHOTO: Reuters Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic has tested positive for coronavirus just a day after returning to training, manager Thomas Tuchel announced on Tuesday. The 27-year-old had been out of action since late October and Tuchel had hoped to ease him back into action this week. N’Golo Kante remains sidelined with a knee issue, while Jorginho has been forced to play through the pain of a back problem and will now miss Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Zenit Saint Petersburg, leaving Tuchel short of defensive midfielders. “We have bad news because Mateo was in training yesterday and with a big smile and it was a pure pleasure to have him back,” said Tuchel. “But he tested positive today, for coronavirus, so he’s quarantining for a few days. So it’s a huge setback for him personally and for all of us.” Chelsea have already qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League and will be confirmed as winners of Group H if they equal or better Juventus’s result against Malmo this week. Latest 6 mins ago President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on his 70th birthday, joining family and friends to celebrate with the devoted public servant. 10 mins ago The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced an investigation into the utilisation of the N950 million Coronavirus (COVID-19) Intervention Fund by the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. 15 mins ago Tottenham have been hit by a coronavirus outbreak ahead of their vital Europa Conference League match against Rennes, reports said on Tuesday. 23 mins ago The death toll from the eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Semeru volcano rose to 34 on Tuesday, the national disaster agency said, as aid was rushed to the affected region. 33 mins ago The share of global wealth of the world’s richest people soared at a record pace during the Covid pandemic, a report on inequality showed Tuesday.
Comments