Ben Chilwell has not made a competitive appearance since the 2021-22 Champions League final against Manchester City.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has said Ben Chilwell is still getting up to speed with the Blues as the left-back looks to make his first competitive appearance since last season’s Champions League final.
Chilwell was named in England’s squad for Euro 2020 this summer but did not see the field as the Three Lions fell in the final to Italy.
The 24-year-old then returned to Chelsea but has yet to play for the Blues this term with Marcos Alonso preferred at left-back.
“For Ben Chilwell, it’s very easy,” Tuchel explained. “He came back with the latest group [after the Euros and holiday].
“When he arrived Marcos Alonso had five weeks in his legs from pre-season. He played the first competitive matches after a fantastic pre-season. He was simply way more ready physically which was natural because of the training session and his fantastic games.
“He played the Super Cup final and three Premier League games. Also, we only have three substitutions allowed and this is a huge problem.”
The German continued: “Chilly needed his time in training to adapt to the intensity. He is ready now but now wasn’t the time to push him into the cold water.
“It is a bit sad because you have more tactical opportunities if you have five changes. I don’t understand the arguments of the little teams that they have a disadvantage in this case. I was also a coach of a little team and I would have loved to have five players available.
“I would have made them run 16 kilometers against the top teams. I think it is a huge disadvantage in general in Europe but why do I complain?”