Thomas Tuchel confessed to Sky Sports the reasonings behind substituting Ben Chilwell again for Chelsea after just an hour versus Sheffield United.
The Blues saw off a stubborn Blades side thanks to Mason Mount’s strike and Jorginho’s penalty either side of half time.
Antonio Rudiger’s ridiculous own goal gave United a route back into the game but Chelsea eventually returned to London with the three points.
It could have been an entirely different result had the hosts been awarded their own spot-kick following Chilwell’s clumsy challenge on Chris Basham in the box.
VAR overturned the decision because there was an offside in the build-up, saving the Chelsea left-back’s blushes.
Chilwell was then involved for the opener by playing a delicate pass in behind for Timo Werner to run onto and assist Mount.
Speaking after his teams’ victory, Tuchel explained the logic as to why he brought off the £45m (BBC Sport) summer signing 15 minutes into the second period.
“Chilly was very strong offensive and a bit of a tough start defensive wise,” Tuchel said. “Lacked a little bit of aggression and determination in the challenges. He stepped up from there and was very dangerous in the attacks.
“Oli (Giroud) suffered a lot because it was a tough challenge against physical defenders from Sheffield (United). He did what was necessary to do. He got a lot of hits so it was better to take him out.
“With his substitution and Callum (Hudson-Odoi) on we lost height. We didn’t want to lose that so we changed Marcos (Alonso) for Chilly because of his height and strength in defensive headers.”
Tuchel gave this reason for excluding Chilwell against Burnley, another Premier League club known for their forceful approach.
This is the second time Tuchel has taken the England international off just after the hour mark, having done so in his debut match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 24-year-old then sat out the subsequent wins over Burnley and Tottenham Hotspurs before being reinstated at Brammall Lane yesterday.
I have a feeling Tuchel does not quite trust Chilwell yet. I can completely see his reasonings behind bringing on Alonso for his aerial presence.
But that begs the question: why start Chilwell in the first place? I think the Blues boss has to settle soon on a first-choice left-back/ wing-back.
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