Chelsea trio passed fit for cup final

Mateo Kovacic, Andreas Christensen and N’Golo Kante are available for Chelsea’s FA Cup final against Leicester.

Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the game, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed that all three players are in the squad and that Kepa Arrizabalaga will be in goal against the Foxes.

Tuchel described Kovacic’s return after a hamstring injury as “huge” news for Chelsea.

The German added that Kante will start and is expected to complete the whole match.

Christensen has been nursing a tendon problem and Kante sat out this week’s defeat against Arsenal.

“The whole group is available. Kova is with us again,” said Tuchel.

“Mateo has everything that we need in midfield. He has experience, power, acceleration, he can dribble the ball and beat players.

“He has physical ability and is experienced in big games in Europe and the Premier League.

“You can see when we missed Mateo and N’Golo in the same match that we lacked a lot of quality and energy and experience.

“Billy (Gilmour) did a huge job but it’s not fair to compare him to these players, because they have more experience and in their development they are a step ahead.”

Kepa has played in previous cup matches and was also in goal against Arsenal.

The Spaniard will keep his place against Leicester but Tuchel added that he still regards Edouard Mendy as Chelsea’s number one keeper.