Thomas Tuchel has provided updates on his two notable absentees – Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz – ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash against Newcastle next week.
The duo have missed a couple of games for the west London outfit due to injuries, but it appears the club is fairing well enough in their absence.
Havertz and Thiago Silva are aiming to return for Chelsea’s trip to Southampton in eight days.
Tuchel also confirmed that Andreas Christensen’s head injury sustained in the 1-0 away win at Barnsley was only minor and the Danish centre-back would make the cut for the trip to St James’ Park.
“It was not concussion-related at all,” Tuchel said of Christensen. “It was a headache, so we took him off.
“It’s too soon for sure for Thiago,” continued Tuchel. “We are aiming for Southampton and trying hard, so let’s see if we make it but we cannot promise.
“It’s Friday and we still have three training sessions before the game. It should be absolutely okay for Timo [who suffered a dead leg against Sheffield United last weekend] to come back but maybe too close for Kai.
“I’m not sure if he’s out [of training] today but he will be missing this match as well.”
Tuchel was then asked whether Havertz could reach the heights he did in Germany, having struggled for form after arriving in the summer from Bayer Leverkusen.
“I am pretty sure we will see that it takes it’s time and there is no short answers. If there was then I would go and talk to him to bring out his full potential,” he said.
“What we know and what we can rely on is this potential in him. Every transfer and change of club is different, sometimes you need more time to adapt, sometimes it is quick, sometimes it is a process.
“All we can do is push him, support him and give him what he needs and we will figure this out.
“He had a really good start with us and I have the feeling that I see a guy who is self-aware, humble and incredibly talented.
“There are no doubts that he will show those, sooner the better. Unfortunately, he has missed training and matches for us and hopefully he will come back in the next days as I am convinced he will have a big impact.”
