Where is Christian Pulisic?
Thomas Tuchel insists he will not give up on Christian Pulisic despite it being over two months since the American last played for Chelsea.
Pulisic hasn't featured since scoring on the opening day of the Premier Leagueseason against Crystal Palace back in August.
Shortly after the 3-0 win, he tested positive for Covid-19 and had to self-isolate.
This was followed by an ankle injury suffered whilst on international duty with the United States.
The latest set-backs make it 38 matches missed in his two-and-a-half years in London, and some Blues fans have become frustrated with his extended periods on the sideline.
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What has Tuchel said about Pulisic?
But Tuchel is adamant that players like Pulisic are prone to injuries and their recovery can often be delayed.
He wants to be on the pitch and help us, to do his best. But unfortunately, the injury takes its time.
- "With players like Christian, who have quick movements, if they feel pain and are not free with their movements, the recovery is not happening," the Chelsea head coach explained yesterday.
"So you start all over again. Then if the pain comes back when you have reached a certain point, then you have to pause and again start over.
"We are very close. He was so close to coming back to team training last week but he had a setback and a little reaction with pain, nothing serious. He is very impatient, we can see him suffer in every meeting. He wants to be on the pitch and help us, to do his best. But unfortunately, the injury takes its time."
Do Chelsea need Pulisic?
Chelsea haven't exactly missed Pulisic since his absence, currently sitting top of the Premier League by one point from Liverpool after eight games.
But Pulisic has shown promise in a Blues jersey during his time at Stamford Bridge, scoring 18 times from midfield in just under 80 appearances.
And he will surely be a welcome addition to the playing squad as Thomas Tuchel attempts to make a serious challenge on the Premier League title, an honour they haven't won since 2017.
As well as that, Chelsea have a Champions League trophy to defend and a player of Pulisic's quality can help them fight on multiple fronts.
Tuchel will be disappointed with his side's showings against Liverpool and Manchester City this season and will know that in Pulisic, he has a player who can be a matchwinner in these tight games.
