As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Chelsea boss Tuchel: Why I refused to start Pulisic at Wembley

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has explained his approach to rotations ahead of tonight's clash with Leicester City.

Only having two clear days between fixtures is a pattern Chelsea have faced quite frequently so the load on the players is being monitored closely.

"There is a daily exchange between me, the fitness coaches and the medical team, to predict a little bit the workload, and what happens if we let each player play again," Tuchel explains.

"We talk about every single player, every single day. Are there any issues? Is there any history of muscle injuries? Is there any history of being injured in overload? Is there overload in speed, is there overload in work-rate? These talks we have every day.

"Maybe sometimes it adds on to it that we have some tactical changes, and you are always a little torn between not wanting to change at all because things are running well, and knowing I cannot play the next 10 matches with the same squad."

Making progress in the cup competitions is what any coach wants but that does add to the busy schedule. Tuchel cannot allow himself to regret rotation decisions he makes.

"For example would Christian Pulisic have deserved to play in the FA Cup final?" he asks. "Yes, of course, and it was not a good feeling to not let him start. But if he was in a risk of maybe re-injury and then he would be out for the next three matches, that would be the bigger regret for me."

Video of the day:

About the author

Paul Vegas

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free