Chelsea press conference LIVE: Thomas Tuchel on Abramovich, takeover, Middlesbrough, James, more

Chelsea can book their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup if they are able to overcome Championship side Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel speaks to the media at Cobham
Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel speaks to the media at Cobham
Good morning and welcome to live coverage of Thomas Tuchel’s pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough.

The Blues make the long trip to the North East to take on the Championship club, who have already dumped Manchester United and Tottenham out of this season’s competition. So it won’t be easy for Tuchel’s side. Fortunately, they are able to travel to the game via plane after the UK government waived their travel costs cap for Chelsea’s visit to the Riverside Stadium.

The Blues have several injury doubts. Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi both missed the Champions League win over Lille in midweek but have been in training while Andreas Christensen limped off with a suspected hamstring injury on Wednesday night. Saul Niguez and Ben Chilwell are set to miss the trip due to Covid and a knee injury respectively.

Tuchel will shortly join the media at Cobham after the return of in-person press conferences. And we have our Chelsea correspondent Adam Newson in situ at the Blues training base to bring you the very latest news. Live updates will appear below throughout the morning.

Good morning
We hope you’re all keeping well and thank you once again for joining us for another Thomas Tuchel press conference.

On the agenda today is the FA Cup quarter-final tie against Championship club Middlesbrough, but expect there to be plenty of discussion about Chelsea’s impending sale, the government restrictions that have been placed upon the Blues, and much more.

As always, we are in position to bring you the very latest from the Chelsea head coach and live updates will appear below shortly.