No fresh injuries
Chelsea travelled out to Abu Dhabi last weekend with a few fitness concerns. Mason Mount had suffered a knock during the FA Cup win over Plymouth Argyle while there were minor issues with Cesar Azpilicueta and Hakim Ziyech.
Fortunately, the latter two players were able to train as normal in the lead-up to the semi-final against Al Hilal and both started in the 1-0 victory on Wednesday.
There were no risks taken with Mount, however, as the England international only played the final 18 minutes of the game from the substitutes' bench.
Mount was back in training yesterday with the other members of the first team that didn't play 90 minutes against Al Hilal. That group also included Edouard Mendy, who linked back up with the squad on Wednesday morning after winning the African Cup of Nations with Senegal.
As the sun went down in Abu Dhabi today, the Chelsea squad took to the Ritz-Carlton Football Field to undertake their final session ahead of tomorrow's final against Palmeiras.
And while there was still no Tuchel, Chelsea were boosted by the fact every member of the 23-man squad trained. It will certainly not be easy for Tuchel and his coaching team to pick their starting XI.
Mendy continues to push
It's been more than a month since Mendy played for Chelsea; the goalkeeper's last outing came in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool on January 2 at Stamford Bridge.
After that fixture, the 29-year-old joined up with the Senegal squad to compete at the African Cup of Nations.
A positive covid test delayed Mendy's start at the tournament but he went on to play five games – and conceded just twice – to help his country win AFCON for the first time.
Mendy and the rest of the Senegal squad returned to the country's capital, Dakar, on Monday to celebrate and it was after that he flew out to the UAE to join up with the squad.
The goalkeeper was named on the bench against Al Hilal but was never likely to be called upon with Kepa Arrizabalaga a rejuvenated presence between the posts.
However, Mendy will be desperate to start his second final in a week tomorrow and has trained over the past two days at Chelsea's training base.
"He arrives in a very good mood, always has a big smile on his face," Zsolt Low, Tuchel's assistant, said during the pre-match press conference this afternoon.
"He's very important to the group. He gives a lot of energy. He was a little tired the first day, needed recovery and a night of good sleep, but he is fully involved in training.
"We're very happy that he's healthy and absolutely in good shape with a good experience behind him. He's ready to play the game."
Lukaku all smiles
The last six weeks have not been easy for Romelu Lukaku, although that is very much of his own making.
The Belgian's controversial interview with Sky Italia that was released at the end of December put unneeded pressure on his shoulders and he has appeared to struggle under that.
His goal against Al Hilal – that proved to be the winner – will have done him the world of good, however.
Not only would it have boosted his self-confidence but it almost certainly ensured he would start tomorrow's final.
"For Romelu, we're very happy he scored," Low admitted. "For a striker, for his confidence, it's very important to score."
Lukaku was all smiles during Chelsea's final training session ahead of the clash with Palmeiras and Blues supporters will hope the 28-year-old steps up and wins his first trophy with the club since he was re-signed from Inter Milan in the summer.
