Thomas Tuchel has said Ben Chilwell is still getting up to speed with the club as he looks to make his first competitive appearance since last campaign’s Champions League final.
Chilwell was named in England’s squad for Euro 2020 this summer but did not play as the Three Lions lost in the final to Italy.
The 24-year-old then returned to Stamford Bridge but has yet to play for Chelsea this season with Marcos Alonso preferred at left-back.
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“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 coach added: “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 kilometres against the top teams. I think it is a huge disadvantage in general in Europe but why do I complain?”
Chilwell will not get the opportunity to play with the Three Lions next month as he was not called up for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifying games.
After the international break, Chilwell will look to make his season debut in Chelsea’s game against Aston Villa on September 11.
