Thomas Tuchel's disappointment was clear to see when he revealed the extent of the injury issue that has derailed Mateo Kovacic's season. Speaking in a press conference, he said he 'missed' the star and admitted his setback was 'really sad'.
An unsung hero for Chelsea since joining from Real Madrid, Kovacic has gone from strength to strength this year. It is no mean feat to escape from the shadow of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho, but he has done just that to link up play superbly.
His dedication on the training field - which in a cruel twist of his fate likely caused his hamstring problem - and ability to wrestle back control in midfield has helped him to become a crucial cog in the club's relentless winning machine.