Press Conference: Thomas Tuchel on Kante, Kovacic, FA Cup final and more

Chelsea are set to face Leicester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday. The Blues have knocked out Manchester City in the semi-finals and are on their way to win their first trophy under Thomas Tuchel. Ahead of the match the Blues boss has talked to the press and here is what he said. Confirmed Kepa Arrizabalaga will start: "He brought us to the final so he deserves to play in the final." More on Kepa and Edouard Mendy: "Nothing has changed. Kepa is a fantastic guy and Edou too. They are working at an excellent level and an impressive way. Edour is No.1 and Kepa is a strong goalkeeper to have in the squad. Tomorrow is the next challenge for him to show." On UCL final venue changed to Porto: "I'm happy to go to a final. It's the easy answer. I would go anywhere to play a Champions League final. Now we have to forget about that and think only about the two finals ahead of us." On mood ahead of the final: "I still have a hangover from the last defeat, it's always like this. So I'm still in angry mode. When we arrive at the hotel and tomorrow, I hopefully will transform it in good preparation and push to the edge. We have to show a reaction and this is it. It's a big match, at Wembley, an FA Cup final, my first final in Wembley. It's huge but I won't get carried away with emotion." On Mateo Kovacic: "It's huge because Mateo has everything we need in the midfield: experience, power, can beat players, has physical ability and has played big games in the Premier League. When we missed N'Golo and Mateo, we lacked a lot of quality, energy and experience. Billy did a huge job in huge games but it's not fair to compare him to these players because they have more experience and are a step ahead in their development. It's big news that Kova is back because he's a big guy in the dressing room around important matches." On N'Golo Kante fitness: "We took the decision together to leave him out against Arsenal and give him treatment. It was pain management, not a huge injury. It was nothing to be afraid of getting bigger. He trained yesterday and today full, no complaints. He will start tomorrow and hopefully finish the game for us." On coaching in  front of the Chelsea fans for the first time: "I just forget until you mentioned there are spectators. It will be a shock tomorrow to go onto the pitch and hear noise, but it will be so nice. I'm looking forward to that. It's pure pleasure to arrive tomorrow and see fans there." Source- football.london Join us on Telegram!/ Follow us on Twitter!

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