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https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/02/08/
zsolt-low-chelsea-press-conference-al-hilal

Latest on Mount and James's fitness, and Mendy's return date

08 Feb 2022


Men's first team coach Zsolt Low was on press conference duty at the
Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium ahead of tomorrow's Club World Cup semi-final,
and the Hungarian provided an update on Mason Mount, Reece James and
Edouard Mendy's availability.


https://i.imgur.com/TQzIZl7.jpg


With Thomas Tuchel in the UK following protocol having tested positive for
Covid-19, Low and Arno Michels are taking training here in Abu Dhabi. Part
of their extra responsibilities include stepping in for Tuchel to address
the media, and Low answered their questions before open training today at
the stadium where we will meet Al Hilal on Wednesday.


With a mix of local, British and Saudi journalists in attendance, the line
of questioning was varied, but the headline news regarded Mount, who
picked up a knock at the weekend, James, who travelled to Abu Dhabi
unexpectedly, and Mendy, our recent Africa Cup of Nations winner. Mount is
the only one in contention to play tomorrow.


'Mason is getting better and better every day,' reported Low. 'We are
running with the time, but we will see how he moves today, how he feels
today, and then we will take a last decision tomorrow.


https://i.imgur.com/8YKh9T5.jpg
Reece travelled with the group but won't be involved this week


'For Reece James, no, there is no chance he plays in the Club World Cup.
He is in a very, very good way, but he missed still some days, some
training sessions to enjoy the group again, or have the possibility to
play the game.'


Mendy will soon report for duty and Low admitted replacing Kepa wouldn't
be easy.


'Mendy arrives later today or tomorrow. We will see how he is, how tired
he is. He has to arrive first, we have to check him, we have to talk to
him. We will see in a few days whether there is a possibility he plays.


https://i.imgur.com/FsDfdN8.jpg
Our weekend penalty heroes!


'This is a good situation for the coaches where we have two amazing
goalkeepers. Mendy did a fantastic performance, he won the Africa Cup, and
was the best goalkeeper at the tournament. Kepa has done an amazing job
and in the last game saved a very important penalty. He is also in very
good shape.


'For sure when Mendy arrives we will have talks, also with the goalkeeper
coaches, and we will take a decision afterwards.'


Low was also asked about the amazing scenes in Dakar as Senegal revelled
in their maiden AFCON triumph


'We were very happy for Mendy. This is a very important thing for him and
for all African players, to win the Africa Cup.


https://i.imgur.com/LLyK0cQ.jpg
The former Hungarian international was an engaging speaker


'He did an amazing performance. It was very important to celebrate with
his team-mates, and with his country. It was a nice celebration!'


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https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/02/08/
low-on-tuchel-s-chances-of-making-the-club-world-cup-and-how-cec

Low on Tuchel' chances of making the Club World Cup and how Cech is
helping in his absence

08 Feb 2022


First-team coach Zsolt Low was on media duties in Abu Dhabi ahead of our
FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Al Hilal, explaining how Thomas
Tuchel is working remotely with the other coaches after testing positive
for Covid and why Petr Cech has been such a big help during this period.


https://i.imgur.com/gqFjhTC.jpg


With Tuchel remaining in London while he follows protocol after his
positive test, the hands-on running of the team has fallen to his coaching
staff, with Low taking his place in the pre-match press conference in Abu
Dhabi the day before our semi.


He explained how Tuchel is playing a constant role in the team'
preparations, as well as the possibility of him joining the team before
the end of the tournament.


'We are continuously in contact with Thomas,' said Low. 'We have a lot of
meetings together, he is calling us all the time. We get calls during
training and also when we come out in the evenings. We try to make it like
he is here with us.


https://i.imgur.com/XPuyw7N.jpg


'Thomas followed the Government rules and gets tested every day, so we
hope the next test will be negative. We want to give him the feeling that
he is with us and absolutely we need his support.'


Low admitted that it is difficult to continue at the same level without
Tuchel, but that the support the coaches have received from those around
them, particularly club legend and current technical and performance
advisor Cech, has been crucial.


'It is a big challenge that Thomas is not here but we try to make it as
good as possible. We have a very good structured club here at Chelsea, we
have a lot of support from different people at club.


'First of all Petr Cech, he's an amazing guy and supports us very well in
these days. Petr is all the time with us. He has a very good feeling for
when we need him, when we don't need him. When we need him he will always
step up, but he doesn't want to disturb us all the time and be part of
every discussion and every meeting. He's given us a lot of support and
we're very happy that he's with us.


https://i.imgur.com/yZi3vOy.jpg
Cech leads Chelsea out during the 2012 Club World Cup


'We have very good medical staff, very good team management, a lot of
support as coaching staff to help us carry on in this situation. We are
still in contact with Thomas and he helps us how he can every day to
prepare the training sessions, to prepare for team meetings.'


However, despite Tuchel's input, Low feels he is such an accomplished
coach that it will take everyone working together to make up for his
absence in person.


'We cannot copy Thomas, he is one of the best coaches in the world, that
is why we have to share it among the whole coaching staff to do different
things. We try to push the team forward and we change all the time when
somebody sees something or has a good opinion.


'Thomas is playing his part with messages and phone calls. Until now, the
last few days were absolutely perfect.'


While making up for Tuchel's absence is obviously a huge task for his
staff, Low believes the head coach's enthusiasm, and the time difference,
means that not being on the touchline could be just as big a challenge for
the German back home.


'Thomas is on English time and just needs a wake-up call with his alarm to
get up for a meeting at 6am in the morning. But the training sessions are
in the afternoon so it's very comfortable to join the training sessions.


https://i.imgur.com/ed9QJeW.jpg
Low helps direct training in Abu Dhabi


'I don't know how he behaves at home! It can be very difficult for him to
sit in front of the TV with all of the emotions. Thomas is absolutely the
coach who likes to be with the team and give a lot of energy for the team.
So this is the challenge he has to deal with.'

--

"Gracchus, something more cheerful."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgUPSBZV_pM

- Rome: Season 1, Episode 3

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