Southampton vs Chelsea: Tuchel makes promise to Christian Pulisic ahead of EPL clash

Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel, has promised winger, Christian Pulisic, that he will have an “important impact” on his squad ahead of their Premier League clash with Southampton on Saturday.

Tuchel left Pulisic on the bench for Chelsea’s 2-0 victory against Newcastle United in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.

Pulisic, who played under Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, is yet to start a Premier League match since the former Paris Saint-Germain coach replaced Frank Lampard as Chelsea manager in January 2021.

The 22-year-old was handed his first start in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Barnsley in the FA Cup fifth-round fixture last weekend but he was back on the bench against Newcastle as two goals from Olivier Giroud and Timo Werner gave Tuchel’s men all three points against the visitors.

“Today, the first change was already made in the first half from injury and Christian [Pulisic] was a very tight decision if he starts again after the cup game, or if he comes on from the bench,” Tuchel said at a post-match press conference after Chelsea’s win over Newcastle.

“We decided for another XI to start and unfortunately, we only had three changes which make it very difficult to give time to the players, to let everybody play, and to have an impact with the changes of fresh legs.

“That makes it difficult because the third change we didn’t want to use too early.

“We did like what we always do during the match, we only think about how to win the match.

“He deserves to start, or to come in but I could only use three guys. I hope he keeps on going and he will make an important impact for us in the future.”