Chelsea welcome Lille to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night in the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League tie as the Blues look to move one step closer to retaining their European crown.
The Blues have had to watch all their main rivals including Liverpool, Man City and Paris Saint-Germain pick up crucial first leg wins in their respective ties against Inter, Sporting and Real Madrid.
Finally, the wait is over for Thomas Tuchel who now looks for a strong start to a pivotal week in the west London club's season with a Carabao Cup final looming on the weekend against Jurgen Klopp's Reds.
But first, they must defeat a Lille side who have been rather on a downwards spiral domestically since their famous title win last season against old odds in the French top tier.
Since then, the departure of key players and coaching staff has led to a re-shuffle amongst the Ligue 1 club's ranks, and this period of instability has made a big impact with their mid-table position in this term's French league standings a clear indicator.
However, Thomas Tuchel and Edouard Mendy have already reiterated the message of not underestimating any opponent at this stage of the competition when they spoke to the media on Monday.
"When it's the Champions League and this stage of the competition, there are no easy draws. Lille won their group and I think that reflects the performances they've produced in this competition against teams like Sevilla and Salzburg. They've been performing well so it's certainly an easy draw," Chelsea's first choice goalkeeper said.
"Lille are a very good team. They've struggled a bit more this season in the league but it's always difficult to be reigning champions.
"They've done very well in the Champions League and will give everything to make it hard for us and get a result. So it's up to us to be wary of that and play our best football."
With all of this taken into consideration, football.london takes a look into all the latest injury news ahead of this first leg clash between the English and French clubs.
Mason Mount
The attacking midfielder has been missing since the FIFA Club World Cup final after aggravating a previous injury sustained in the FA Cup prior against Plymouth.
There were fears that he could miss this whole week which is topped off by the Carabao Cup final.
But his latest social media hint alludes to the fact that he will be in contention for both the Lille and Liverpool clashes after he sent telling three word message to the fans regarding his injury status.
What Tuchel has said: "Mason (Mount) did a very good individual session, I think he will try to come back to team training today. He was out maybe a little bit too long to start. Perhaps he is involved in the squad, but he has not trained with the team yet."
Expected return date: Lille (H)- February 22
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Winger Hudson-Odoi had inflammation in his Achilles keeping him out of the trip to Selhurst Park.
He is therefore very unlikely to make the cut for the Lille game whilst also being a huge doubt to make the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
What Tuchel said: "Callum did not train yesterday."
Expected return date: N/A
Cesar Azpilicueta
Just like Hudson-Odoi, Azpilicueta missed out on the trip to south London on the weekend due to having a minor injury issue that had to be managed carefully.
The Spaniard missed training pre-Palace with a groin problem.
What Tuchel said: "Azpi (Cesar Azpilicueta) looks much better than Callum (Hudson-Odoi).
"Azpi trained and has no reaction, so if it stays like this, which it seems to be, then he's available for tomorrow."
Expected return date: Lille (H)- February 22
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell is set to miss the remainder of the season after a serious injury.
The left-back suffered a cruciate ligament injury, which required reconstructive surgery, against Juventus and is unlikely to return until next season.
What Tuchel said: And Reece (James) is still out, and Chilly (Ben Chilwell) out.
Expected return date: 2022/23 season
Reece James
James is pushing towards a return to first-team action, with the right-back stepping up his recovery in recent weeks.
The England international did travel to Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup, but wasn’t involved as he still makes his way back.
What Tuchel said: "And Reece (James) is still out, and Chilly (Ben Chilwell) out."
Expected return date: N/A
