https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/09/24/
mount-and-pulisic-ruled-out-of-manchester-city-clash-while-mendy
Mount and Pulisic ruled out of Manchester City clash while Mendy to start
in goal
24 Sep 2021
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Mason Mount has joined Christian Pulisic
on the sidelines, with the duo set to sit out Saturday's home Premier
League clash with Manchester City.
https://i.imgur.com/RyVmpyd.jpg
Our head coach revealed that Mount picked up a minor knock during our
Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa in midweek and that the injury will keep
him out of the Saturday lunchtime meeting with Pep Guardiola's side, along
with Pulisic who is still working on his fitness
However there is better news surrounding goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who is
fit to take his place between the sticks and will start the game according
to Tuchel.
'Christian Pulisic is still out,' began Tuchel at his pre-match press
conference. 'Mason Mount is also out as this game comes too soon for him,
after picking up a minor injury from the Aston Villa match in midweek.
'He has made a big step in his recovery from that, huge progress, but
unfortunately not enough to be involved because of the game coming earlier
as a 12.30pm [kick-off] on Saturday.
https://i.imgur.com/OWR5Df8.jpg
'Everyone else is fine and Edouard Mendy is fit from his injury. He is
available and will start for us tomorrow.'
Losing Mount is clearly a blow for the Blues, with the England
international key part of Tuchel's plans, and our German boss has
expressed the disappointment of both coach and player in this absence for
such a huge game.
'Mason is very disappointed to miss out,' added Tuchel. 'It happened in
the second half against Villa, he played through the injury and finished
the game. He was even confident enough to take an important penalty, so it
was a surprise to see him with this injury.
https://i.imgur.com/wup7Gwb.jpg
Mount impressed against Villa but injury rules him out this weekend
'The steps he is taking are huge and maybe if the game was one day later,
then he could have played. It's a minor injury but there is disappointment
for him and us because he is a player that we count on.
'But no matter the importance, no matter how we rely on him, the task is
to find solutions without him and bring him back as soon as possible.'
On tomorrow's game, much has been made of Tuchel's recent success over Pep
Guardiola, but our boss was at pains to point out fixtures of this
magnitude are won and lost on the pitch.
'It's not between me and him, it's not a tennis match or a chess match,
it's between our teams who compete against each other on a very high level.
https://i.imgur.com/gq3ppDR.jpg
Guardiola and Tuchel in Porto
'Honestly the last three games I see three 50/50 matches, before and
during the matches. It could have been any outcome. Once you have 50/50
matches, little details decide it. Small situations can give you the
advantage.
'I expect nothing else than a 50/50 match tomorrow. We want to fight to
have the better outcome. We have done it a few times, but we know how much
we suffered in those matches, and we will have to do that tomorrow.'
Tuchel was asked whether he and his team have the psychological advantage
over Man City following that triumvirate of victories towards the end of
the last season.
'We have the positive experiences, and we know how tough it feels at
half-time in the dressing room,' he replied. 'You have to work hard for it
and earn it. You need momentum and a bit of luck.
https://i.imgur.com/6i3fhCW.jpg
'At this level we have the belief we can do it. We know what it takes to
have the possibility to win. I have the feeling it does not take a miracle
to win against Manchester City, but it's absolutely necessary we bring the
best performance.
'It's one of the biggest tests in European football and we feel ready for
it.'