Werner ‘said he could not play’ because of hamstring problem

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Thomas Tuchel said he did not bring Timo Werner on during the FA Cup final because the striker has a hamstring problem.

Werner was named among the substitutes at Wembley, where Chelsea lost on penalties to Liverpool.

With Kai Havertz out with a hamstring injury, it seemed surprising that Tuchel did not introduce Werner.


But boss Tuchel said: “He felt uncomfortable during the warm-up and said he could not play.”

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Tuchel also explained that he took off Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the final minute of extra time purely with the imminent shoot-out in mind.

Loftus-Cheek was replaced by Ross Barkley just 14 minutes after coming on. Barkley took one of Chelsea’s penalties.

Tuchel said:  “It was purely for penalties. Ruben has not a good history (with penalties) statistically and Ross has, so it was purely down to the penalties.”

Tuchel insisted he was “proud” of his team’s display after a second cup final defeat to Liverpool on penalties this season – and Chelsea’s third consecutive FA Cup final defeat.