Thomas Tuchel responds to Mason Mount criticism and provides Hakim Ziyech injury update

Thomas Tuchel has responded to the criticism aimed at Mason Mount following Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool and provided an injury update on Hakim Ziyech.

Chelsea failed to secure a third trophy of the season as they lost 11-10 to Liverpool on penalties at Wembley last weekend.

The Champions League, Club World Cup and Super Cup holders had three goals disallowed for offside in normal time and were left to rue two big misses from England forward Mount.

Some fans and pundits criticised Mount following the penalty shootout defeat but Tuchel was pleased with his performance.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup fifth-round clash with Luton Town, Tuchel said: ‘Nobody deserves the blame for missing a chance.

‘I’m happy I didn’t read any news about that because I can clearly understand that players don’t want to miss chances. And I can tell you the person who didn’t want to miss it the most was Mason.

‘You can be sure of that. This can happen, it’s part of the sport. Not every chance is a goal.

‘We had huge chances and he had huge chances to decide the match for us but he is fine, he had a strong match.

‘He arrived in good positions with good timing which is what we wanted. We missed a bit of luck.’

Morocco international Ziyech was left out of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final squad and will also miss Wednesday’s clash with Luton through injury.

Tuchel added: ‘Hakim is not available for tomorrow, like the final.

‘He still feels uncomfortably and he didn’t train today. He is one of the guys who will miss the game tomorrow.’

Chelsea’s manager also warned his squad not to take Luton lightly ahead of the FA Cup fixture.

Luton have won their last three games to climb into the Championship play-off spots as they eye a