“Has to be patient”: Tuchel sends a message to this Chelsea star struggling for game time

Thomas Tuchel urges Ben Chilwell to be patient and take his chances in Chelsea training

According to the Metro, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has offered some sage advice to underperforming English international Ben Chilwell.

The left-back joined the Blues to much hype in 2020 and has since made 42 appearances for the club scoring four goals and assisting seven more. His last appearance for Chelsea was in the UEFA Champions League final last season.

Chilwell has not featured since and is yet to play a single minute this season. Tuchel has preferred to use Marcos Alonso ahead of the Englishman. The onus is now on Chilwell to earn his place back.

Tuchel has already had a word with the player regarding the situation and urged him to do his talking on the training pitch. Chilwell has fallen down the pecking order for both club and country and the onus is now on him to step up and make his case.

“He has to be patient and keep on training.”

The Blues boss admits that a disappointing Euros campaign with England has played a role in Chilwell’s situation. The 24-year-old did not play a single minute for the Three Lions as they made it all the way to the final.

“It was individually for him a tough Euros, because there were chances I think where he thought he could have played, and he did not.”

Not only did Chilwell return to Stamford Bridge mentally exhausted but also faced competition from a rejuvenated Alonso coming off the back of an impressive pre-season. It is fair to say the Spaniard took his chance.

“Marcos was here the whole pre-season, he did every single training session and he took this opportunity and was so, so great, with such huge quality and attitude.”

Chilwell’s quality is undoubted and he remains a top player. Hopefully, the competition will push him to up his game and improve a level or two.

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Chelsea begin their Champions League defence this week against Russian side Zenit Saint Petersburg on Tuesday. Tuchel is not taking anything for granted and believes the competition will be tougher this season. Whether this new influx of games is what Chilwell needs to make his case remains to be seen.