´Zero problems´ between Tuchel and Pulisic despite US star´s lack of playing time

Thomas Tuchel insists there are “zero problems” between himself and Christian Pulisic after the player’s father tweeted about his recent lack of playing time.

United States star Pulisic featured as a substitute in the Blues’ frustrating 1-0 Premier League defeat to Everton last Sunday, and though the former Borussia Dortmund man has made 34 appearances for Chelsea this season, only half have been starts. 

In a since-deleted tweet, Pulisic’s father Mark lamented the “sad” situation the 23-year-old found himself in, sparking rumours of an exit for the attacker by saying there was a “big six months ahead”.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s home encounter with Wolves on Saturday, Tuchel brushed off suggestions that Pulisic was unhappy in west London.

“I’m not concerned if a father says a player loves me or not. I am not concerned about that, for sure,” he said. “It’s a normal thing.

“Every manager, we have our reasons to choose a line-up and have our reasons to go for players in the first 11. You will never see, in this kind of level of competition, happy faces from players that are not selected.

“Between Christian and me, there exists zero problems. He had a fantastic training week so far, he has a huge impact from the bench in some matches.

“I didn’t even know [about] it [the tweet]. I don’t want to get affected by it in my judgement, it has nothing to do with it.

“The players, in the end, are responsible to be and stay in the team. I will do my best to do the right judgement. Am I always right? For sure not. Is it always fair? For sure not.

“This is what you sign up for in a club like Chelsea. I haven’t experienced the same reaction from Christian lately, it was actually the opposite – very strong, very positive in the last weeks.”

Working towards Wolves. pic.twitter.com/lSDwOrzmDN

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 5, 2022

After playing 1,866 minutes this season, Pulisic will be hoping to feature against Wolves as he looks to play his way into Tuchel’s team for the FA Cup final against Liverpool on May 14, having scored in the Blues’ 2-1 final defeat to Arsenal in 2020.

Chelsea have lost three of their last six Premier League matches (two wins, one draw), as many losses as they suffered in their first 28 league outings this season (17 wins, eight draws), and only 44 per cent of the Blues’ Premier League points have come at home this campaign (29/66).

Only Watford (32 per cent) and Brighton and Hove Albion (36 per cent) have won a lower share of their points on their own grounds in the Premier League this season, although Chelsea are unbeaten in their last eight home league games against Wolves (three draws, five losses), last losing to the midlands outfit at Stamford Bridge in March 1979.