Thomas Tuchel Drafts In U23 And Academy Players For Chelsea's Trip To Brentford In Bid To 'Protect Squad' News

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Thomas Tuchel Drafts In U23 And Academy Players For Chelsea's Trip To Brentford In Bid To 'Protect Squad'

By Daily Sports on December 22, 2021

Thomas Tuchel says he may be forced to utilise players from the U23s and the academy for Chelsea's Carabao Cup clash at Brentford, adding he is "sad" that his team are currently unable to compete at the "highest level".

Chelsea have been hit hard by the recent spike in Covid cases across the Premier League and had seven first-team players ruled out for their 0-0 draw at Wolves on Sunday.

One of those players - Jorginho - is able to return for Wednesday's quarter-final against Brentford after it was confirmed he had recorded a false positive, but the other six remain absent.

With Chelsea facing a run of four matches in 12 days and battling to keep pace with Manchester City in the Premier League title race, Tuchel says he may have no choice but to call on the club's inexperienced young players at Brentford.

"They trained with us yesterday and today," said the head coach. "We made them come for two training sessions because it's necessary.

"We have to protect our players and that's why we brought in the academy and we think about playing with them.

"It can happen tomorrow that we prioritise the health - not the game against Aston Villa (on Boxing Day, live on Sky Sports) - and do not take any risks with some of our players. (Sky Sports)

•PHOTO: Tuchel

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 22, 2021