Thomas Tuchel praises evergreen duo Olivier Giroud and Edinson Cavani for their tip-top condition as Chelsea prepare to host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge

Thomas Tuchel has praised both Olivier Giroud and Edinson Cavani for keeping themselves in tip-top condition despite being well into the tail-end of their careers.

Giroud and Cavani, both 34, have proved themselves to be key members of both Premier League sides this term, with the former scoring a crucially important away goal for the Blues against Atletico Madrid earlier this week.

Giroud grabbed the only goal of the game in their 1-0 win in the Champions League while Cavani, who Tuchel worked with at Paris Saint-Germain, has struck seven times for the Red Devils this season.

And Tuchel was full of praise for the two elder statesmen as they prepare to go head-to-head at Stamford Bridge this Sunday.

“Look at them when they switch shirts, they are totally fit,” Tuchel said. “Their fitness is key. Oli has zero body fat, same as Edi.

“Edi is a player like Oli, who as a number nine, is always concerned about the team, will suffer for the team, always ready to sacrifice, always ready to do runs to open spaces.

“This is the characteristic of them both.

“Then in the box, they are both excellent finishers, they are experienced, they don’t get nervous and they both have composure, so they are both top quality strikers. Top quality number nines and for me their fitness and self discipline is key to their success.”

The Chelsea boss was not giving anything away on whether Giroud would retain his starting position for this weekend, but he will still be without Thiago Silva who is yet to return from a thigh injury.