The duo have sat out in recent weeks but are both closing in on a return to action, with Tuchel revealing that Pulisic has stepped up his individual work ahead of joining the group in full training soon, while French midfielder Kante will be part of the Chelsea squad heading to north London this weekend.

‘We have no fresh injury concerns,’ Tuchel confirmed at his pre-match media briefing.

‘There is good news on Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kante. Christian is in individual training and is trying to come back as fast as possible to join in with full training.‘He’s not in the squad this weekend, as the game comes too early for him, but he is working hard on his fitness.

‘N’Golo is back. He’s back in full shape and ready to play on Sunday.’

The boss was also asked whether there was any update on Toni Rudiger’s contract situation, with the German defender’s current deal due to expire at the end of the season.

Rudiger has continued to shine at the heart of the Chelsea defence under Tuchel, starting this season as strongly as he ended the last campaign, and our head coach hopes a ‘solution’ can be found between the player and the club in terms of extending his Stamford Bridge stay.

‘I hope that we find the solution but it’s not only about coaches and players and what we wish for,’ said Tuchel of Rudiger’s situation.

‘In the moment it is between the club, the player and the agent. We hope we can find a solution, because he is playing some excellent football for us.

‘He’s very calm, very focused and none of this is a distraction for him. Sometimes these things need a little bit of time but there is no news on this from my side. I think Toni feels very good at Chelsea.

‘It’s well deserved [the credit he is getting] because he always delivers when he plays. He feels the love from the supporters and he’s at a big club in Europe, playing in one of the best leagues and whatever happens will happen.

‘I am relaxed about it and as I said earlier, it is between the club and the player’s representatives to find the solutions.’