Tuchel backs Pulisic to be ‘huge weapon’ for Chelsea

Christian Pulisic can be “a huge weapon” for Chelsea but managing the American winger’s fitness is key, says head coach Thomas Tuchel.

Pulisic has made 30 club appearances this season, but only only 16 have been starts, and only 11 of those starts have come in the league.

Injuries have played a big part in restricting the 22-year-old’s game time, most recently seeing him come off at half-time of the humiliating 5-2 home defeat against West Brom with a hamstring problem.

“His fitness is always important because Christian has this huge physical with the amounts of sprints and the intensity that he can give to the team at the highest level,” Tuchel said prior to Saturday’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace.

“This is one of of his biggest strengths but he needs to feel confident and calm mentally and then he can be a huge weapon for us.

“We have to take care of him and hopefully he won’t be re-injured.”

Pulisic impressed as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Porto in the first leg of the Champions midweek quarter-finals on Wednesday, hitting the bar with a fierce strike and causing problems in the latter stages.

“He scored against West Brom but unfortunately the overall game and his need to go off at half time clouded the goal and the impact he could have had,” Tuchel added,

“But now against Porto he was very close to scoring and he had a big impact from the bench.

“I feel him getting stronger and more self-confident. He can be a decisive factor in the next game with his speed, his ability to dribble and his ability arrive in the box from dangerous situations.

“He has the feeling to arrive and score and hopefully he can have that impact. It’s our job to push him there and make sure he feels the trust and feels confident.”