A late decision had to be made on the key pair in defense by manager Thomas Tuchel before the Premier League heavyweight clash tonight at Old Trafford.
James was out with a hamstring problem while Rudiger was removed from a groin sprain. But they both returned to full training before the clash with United, with Chelsea’s medical staff only having to make final checks.
Andreas Christensen did not participate after an illness excluded him from Sunday’s game against West Ham.
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Tuhel said Wednesday: “Tony was in training yesterday, the same for Reese James. We have another training [session] is coming. We hope that they can complete the training and give us the green light.
“We hope they can be in the squad and play tomorrow. The same for Andreas, we need another review. It hurt him. He will return to the training ground today. “
Chelsea is striving to further strengthen its position in third place with a victory at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, United are fighting for European football.
Tuhel added: “We and Manchester United would like to take part in the title, but unfortunately there are two other teams in red and blue who have something to say and in recent years have strongly expressed their views.
“We have to accept it and try to reduce the difference,” [to] Manchester United is also second in last year’s campaign.
“Man United is one of the biggest clubs, very famous and successful. I can only repeat that I am very grateful and excited to play there and arrive with a strong team.
“We come to win and play for victory. This is a great feeling.
“I’m not worried about Man United. This is not my job and they will always recover. This is a huge club and the team is full of individual talents. I’m not participating, we have enough work here. “
Chelsea XI: Mandy; Aspilikueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Cante, Giorgino, Alonso; Mount, Havertz, Werner.
Substitutes: Kepa, Sar, Chaloba, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Pulisic, Zieh, Kennedy, Lukaku.
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