Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel tests positive for Covid and misses Plymouth FA Cup tie

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has tested positive for Covid-19 and misses Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle at Stamford Bridge.

A Chelsea statement said Tuchel «will now follow necessary self-isolation protocols».

The Blues are due to travel to Abu Dhabi on Saturday to play in the Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Tuchel hopes to join the team «later next week».

Assistant manager Arno Michels will take charge against Plymouth.

On Tuesday Premier League data showed the number of positive Covid tests among players and staff had fallen for a fifth consecutive week.

However, the number of tests conducted had also fallen — from 6,221 to 1,947 — because of players being away during the winter break.