Chelsea handed major boost ahead of Club World Cup final

Premier League giants Chelsea have been handed a personnel boost, ahead of the club’s upcoming showdown with Palmeiras.

The Blues, of course, are currently in the midst of attempts to add to their Champions League holder status with further success on the continent, this time at the FIFA Club World Cup.

A solitary strike on the part of Romelu Lukaku proved enough to guide Chelsea beyond Al-Hilal in midweek, setting up a CWC finale showdown with aforementioned Brazilian heavyweights Palmeiras.

Romelu Lukaku: Right place, right time ⚽ pic.twitter.com/shRwNmiMKj
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 9, 2022

And, with just 24 hours to go before the action gets underway in Abu Dhabi, on Friday, the hopes of the European champions have been handed a boost.

This comes in the form of confirmation that boss Thomas Tuchel has been granted permission to link back up with his squad of players.

German tactician Tuchel has been forced to watch on from isolation as his side got the better of Plymouth Argyle and Al-Hilal over the course of the last week, owing to a positive test for Covid-19.

After returning a crucial 2nd negative result on Friday morning, though, the ex-Borussia Dortmund coach quickly boarded a flight to the UAE, ahead of taking charge of Chelsea’s showdown with Palmeiras on Saturday:

Thomas Tuchel has arrived in Abu Dhabi and is on the way to Chelsea’s team hotel #cfc
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) February 11, 2022

Look who’s here. 👀 pic.twitter.com/q3vU8D5viP
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 11, 2022

Kepa on the move?

Turning attentions away from the pitch and instead towards the transfer market, a fresh insight into the stance of the powers-that-be at Stamford Bridge when it comes to the future of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been provided over the last 24 hours.

Spanish international Kepa has of course seen his name come back to the fore in the headlines of late, owing to a string of stellar displays in the absence of Edouard Mendy.

As confirmed by the reliable Nizaar Kinsella, amongst others, though, Chelsea nevertheless remain open to the prospect of moving their backup shot-stopper on in the summer:

Chelsea are open to a Kepa sale this summer even after his is bringing some of the best form of his Chelsea career. Here’s why: t.co/pT1KDUhSAQ #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) February 11, 2022