Lukaku can be Chelsea's missing piece: Tuchel

London: Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is confident that new signing Romelu Lukaku can have a big impact and be the "missing piece" for the club as they chase their first Premier League title in five years, he told reporters on Friday.

Lukaku rejoined Chelsea from Inter Milan last week for a club record fee reportedly worth 97.5 million pounds ($132.62 million).

"We expect him to have an impact... we expect goals... he is a big personality in the dressing room but I am absolutely convinced he will have a positive impact on Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic. Is Romelu the missing piece? We hope so..." said Tuchel.

The German added that the Belgium international is in line to feature against Arsenal on Sunday.

"We have one more training to go but the week was a heavy load for (Lukaku) because he was in the group with the other late starters... we are hoping he is on the pitch for Sunday and things look like it," he said.

Meanwhile, Tuchel confirmed that Pulisic missed training this week due to a positive COVID-19 test and will not be involved on Sunday.

The Chelsea boss, however, sounded optimistic about the availability of Hakim Ziyech and N'Golo Kante, saying that the duo had absolutely no problems in training and "a more physical session" on Saturday will determine their participation against Arsenal.

Varane, Cavani available for Southampton trip
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is in contention to make his debut for the club in Sunday's Premier League game at Southampton while striker Edinson Cavani is also available, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

France centre back Varane, who has joined from Real Madrid on a four-year deal, watched his new club hammer Leeds United 5-1 last weekend - a match Uruguay striker Cavani missed as he was isolating after being granted an extended holiday.

Solskjaer said the duo were back in training as United look to build on their strong start to the campaign, having finished second behind Manchester City last season.

"First game of the season when you get off to a good start with the fans it sets the mood. Our job now is to capitalise on it and not get complacent," Solskjaer told reporters. "Edinson has joined in, Raphael is joining in and we're getting fitter.

"Varane has been keeping fit, he's a naturally fit lad and he's had a good week. He's coming through the last session and if that goes well he'll probably travel.

"Edinson... is lacking in team training but you can see he has been looking after himself. His body can tolerate a lot. He is chomping at the bit. He's ready to go and let's see what we can get out of him early on."

Solskjaer did not confirm if new signing Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund would start the game, but said he did not expect his side to win 9-0 like last season at St Mary's.

"That game was a one-off... a special game when you have a lad sent off in the first minute. With Ralph Hasenhuettl's teams you get high energy, high pressing and belief in themselves," Solskjaer said.

"They give you a great challenge. We know every time we travel down there it's a difficult game."

Solskjaer also said goalkeeper Dean Henderson had resumed light training after recovering from COVID-19.