Chelsea coach Zsolt Low reveals 'amazing' technical director Petr Cech has stepped up in Thomas Tuchel's absence for their Club World Cup campaign, as he says the manager is hoping to return later this week

Chelsea assistant coach Zsolt Low has revealed technical director Petr Cech has stepped up in the absence of Thomas Tuchel, as the side gear up for their Club World Cup campaign.

Boss Tuchel has not been able to travel with his players to Abu Dhabi after testing positive for Covid-19, meaning his coaching staff will fill in for him on the touchline as the Blues look to win the tournament.

And, speaking in a press conference this afternoon, Low has opened up on the extent of Cech’s recent involvement in training and meetings. 

Chelsea coach Zsolt Low has revealed Petr Cech is stepping up in Thomas Tuchel’s absence

Cech is the club’s technical director, but has been hands-on for the Club World Cup campaign

Quizzed on the difficulties of not having Tuchel in the technical area, the manager’s right-hand man said: ‘It’s a big challenge but we have a very good structure club with Chelsea. Petr Cech supports us well when Thomas is not here. 

‘We have a good medical staff, team management. We have a lot of support. And a lot of video calls with Thomas. He’ll support us as best he can and give us every day preparation in meetings. In the next days there’s the possibility to talk to the team.’ 

On Cech, he went on to add: ‘Petr is all the time with us. He was an amazing player, now an amazing sports director. 

Low and his fellow coaches will take charge after manager Tuchel contracted coronavirus

Chelsea’s players have been put through their paces against their semi-final with Al-Hilal

‘He has a very good feel and when we need him he steps up. He doesn’t want to disturb and be part of every meeting but he is giving us some support.’

Blues legend Cech retired from football in 2019 after a four-year spell at London rivals Arsenal, and moved into an off-field role at Stamford Bridge.

He is understood to occasionally have a hands-on role when needed, however, and has been pictured helping out in drills at their Cobham training base.

Low, meanwhile, is hopeful that Tuchel will be able to re-join the team ‘as fast as possible’, with the former PSG coach adhering to Covid isolation guidelines.

Cech has taken part in training sessions before, having been seen advising Edouard Mendy

He said: ‘He’ll follow the government rules, get tested every day and we hope the next will be negative so he can travel as fast as possible.

‘We hope but we have texts, phone calls, video calls and give him the feeling he’s with us. We need his absolute support. Twenty four hours he is there.’ 

Chelsea play Al-Hilal in the semi-final of the Club World Cup, and will face either Palmeiras or Al Ahly in the final should they get there.