ABU DHABI: Thomas Tuchel has arrived in Abu Dhabi after recovering from Covid-19, ready to try to mastermind Chelsea’s assault on the Club World Cup in the final against Palmeiras.

The German watched the 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at home in London, having also missed Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Plymouth. But, after returning a negative test, Tuchel took a last-minute flight to join up with his squad on Friday.

Assistant coach Zsolt Low, who had been standing in, said that goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is “absolutely ready to play” in the final after helping Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations. Kepa Arrizabalaga was excellent as a stand-in during the 1-0 semi-final win over Al-Hilal.

Low said: “We will talk to Thomas about it. The final decision will be some hours before the game but if we decide for one or the other, the one on the bench has nothing to be worried or sad about.

“Both goalkeepers had a big performance in the last weeks and this is why it’s a question just for this game.”

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