Thomas Tuchel names Chelsea duo crucial to helping him sleep well ahead of the Carabao Cup final

Thomas Tuchel says the form of Cesar Azpilicueta and N'Golo Kante will ensure he sleeps well ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.

The Blues head to Wembley looking to claim their third trophy of the season. Yet their task will not be an easy one with Jurgen Klopp's side in fine form.

Tuchel made the Reds slight favourites ahead of the contest, although he is insistent there will be no inferior complex for Chelsea, who are unbeaten in the last three meetings between the sides.

Chelsea will make the short trip to north London will an almost fully fit squad. Ben Chilwell (knee) is expected to be the only absentee with Reece James, Mateo Kovacic, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi all back in training after respective injuries and knocks.

Yet it is Tuchel's confidence in two of Chelsea's more experienced players that he says will enable him to arrive at Wembley well-rested.

"To have players in your squad like Azpi and N’Golo, who take care that matches like this are won, who have the experience to win it and what it takes, is so important," the German coach said yesterday.

"It gives you genuine belief and you can’t substitute this with anything else. Not talk, the video [analysis], not anything.

"So I am, at the moment, happy. N’Golo found his form again after some struggles in recent games; he was good against Crystal Palace and was brilliant against Lille. He was the key player he is for us.

"It makes a manager sleep well before important matches when [a player like] N’Golo is in good shape, and Azpi, the captain, is in good shape. It’s a good sign."

Since the arrival of Tuchel a little over a year ago, Chelsea have reached the final of every cup competition they have entered.

Three of those have