Thomas Tuchel hopes the hamstring injury suffered by Christian Pulisic during Chelsea’s defeat to West Bromwich Albion isn’t serious. With key games to come in the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup, Tuchel needs a fully fit squad to work with in the weeks ahead. N’Golo Kante was Chelsea’s only injury concern ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Porto. But Pulisic is now a doubt, although Tuchel is hopeful the winger hasn’t suffered a major injury.
Thomas Tuchel said “He was injured, he had to go off because of a hamstring injury. I hope it’s not too bad. In the beginning, he said he could continue but once he got back out on the field he felt that it was too much and that he couldn’t risk it. I hope it is not an injury, just a problem.”
The American started in the Premier League for only the second time under Tuchel and put the Blues ahead with his first goal since December. Unfortunately, Chelsea then capitulated. Thiago Silva was sent off moments after Pulisic had struck and two Matheus Pereira goals on the stroke of half-time meant the Blues went into the break behind. Pulisic felt discomfort in his hamstring during the interval but planned to continue and wasn’t going to be substituted. Unfortunately, as the winger sprinted back out onto the Stamford Bridge pitch ahead of the second period, the 22-year-old realised he was unable to continue. That created a problem for Tuchel to quickly solve. Mason Mount was seemingly going to be introduced in place of Timo Werner. However, he had to come on for Pulisic. It meant the German had to hastily be fetched from the Chelsea dressing room and explains why the second half was held up while both sets of players waited for Werner to emerge from the tunnel.
