Chelsea's unvaccinated stars are expected to be able to play in France

Thomas Tuchel is confident Chelsea’s unjabbed stars WILL be able to play in their Champions League second-leg tie against Lille with unvaccinated allowed to travel to France if they have an exemption

  • Chelsea will travel to France to play Lille in the Champions League next month
  • There had been concerns that their unvaccinated players would be unavailable
  • However, players are now allowed to travel if they have received an exemption
  • Thomas Tuchel is now optimistic that he will have a full squad to choose from 

Thomas Tuchel is confident Chelsea’s unvaccinated players will be available for next month’s Champions League last 16 second leg tie in Lille.

The Blues were set to be without a number of players who have not had the Covid jab due to strict regulations in France.

Speaking about the issue last month, Tuchel admitted that taking on the Ligue 1 champions with a depleted squad could ‘create problems’ for his side. 

Thomas Tuchel believes Chelsea’s unvaccinated players will be allowed to play in France

There had previously been concerns that he may have to leave unjabbed players at home

But a recent easing of the rules means Chelsea’s unvaccinated players can travel provided they have an exemption.

Asked whether he was preparing to be without players who have not had the injection for the game on March 16, Tuchel said: ‘No, I don’t think so. I think the rules at the moment allow us to travel with everybody. And we need everybody.’   

Meanwhile, Sportsmail understands Reece James will this week make his return to action following a hamstring injury that has kept him out since the end of December.

Reece James has not played in 2022 due to injury, but he is now nearing a return to action

The defender was in scintillating form prior to his setback, scoring four goals and delivering five assists in the Premier League in the first part of the season.

Chelsea face Lille in the first leg tomorrow night as they look to retain the trophy they won by beating Manchester City last May in Porto.

They then take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday – and there is hope the England star will be involved in one of the games, most likely at Wembley at the weekend.




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