Christian Pulisic was delighted with his start in Chelsea's Champions League rout of Juventus.

Pulisic played 72 minutes for the Blues against the Serie A giants as they ensured their defence of their European crown will go into 2022 after sealing progression into the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

It was the first time the 23-year-old - who came off the bench to score in the Blues' 3-0 win at Leicester last weekend - was named in Thomas Tuchel's starting XI since their opening league game of the season against Crystal Palace, a game in which he also netted.

"It has been a long couple of months," the 23-year-old said, referring to his ankle injury. "It is tough to not be able to play and doing what I love and help my team.

"I am thrilled to be back and it is great to be back within the team. I would say, as far as fitness, I am close to where I want to be but that I can still improve and that comes with minutes.

"I played it quite smart in how I came back with not too much too soon. It has been really good and I am happy with the way I feel right now."