Chelsea have made a great start to the season, but one man who hasn’t been a part of it is Ben Chilwell.
After riding the bench for England at the Euros he looked set to come back and shine for Chelsea this season – but he’s yet to play a single minute, with Marcos Alonso keeping his place after a Premier League opening day goal.
In his press conference today, Thomas Tuchel explained why he hadn’t turned to last summer’s signing just yet:
“It’s been difficult for him, from a Champions League win, then it was individually for him a tough Euros because he felt he could have played a part for England,” Thomas Tuchel explained in quotes picked up by the BBC.
“Then to keep training for four or five weeks then he had a personal break which is difficult.
“When I arrived I felt he was mentally tired which is unlucky because Marcos Alonso had a full pre-season.
“We had some talks with him and no further worries with him, he’s training and he just needs to be patient. He’s in the race now and with a good mental attitude.”
It’s all pretty standard – apart from the stuff about being “mentally tired” – it’s not clear if that’s a real reason or a euphemism for something else.
Either way, we think this conversation will soon be forgotten – this week’s double header provides the perfect opportunity for Chilwell to get some minutes, either as a starter or just as a sub in one of the two important games coming up.
