For all the excellent work Thomas Tuchel has done in his first six weeks as Chelsea boss - he is still unbeaten after 11 games - the case of Christian Pulisic has left many onlookers somewhat puzzled.
When Frank Lampard was sacked at the end of January, the obvious assumption was it would release the shackles on Pulisic since his £58m move in the summer of 2019. Yet, if anything, those shackles have tightened.
The American is yet to start a Premier League game under Tuchel. Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech have all had a go in an attacking position. Not Pulisic.
It is a curious scenario, given Tuchel was the one who promoted Pulisic to first-team football at the age of 17, inviting him to mid-season training before picking him in the Bundesliga in January 2016.
A swift progression as a teenage star followed, along with 55 appearances under Tuchel as Pulisic learned the ropes of top-flight German football.
Perhaps, quite bizarrely, it is that familiarity which has worked against the 22-year-old since the German arrived in west London.
In fact, the Blues boss said as much this week, following the 2-0 win against Everton: 'I can say nothing else but good things about him. Maybe his biggest problem is that I know him from Dortmund and I think he started only in the cup games.
'It is my responsibility and it is a bit unfair but I know what impact he can have in the last 20 or 30 minutes.'
Pulisic has only started once since Tuchel arrived at Chelsea in late January - in a 1-0 FA Cup victory over Championship side Barnsley - and has appeared off the bench six times in the top-flight.
On Monday, he came on for a mere minute.
This is quite the change in role for the USA international, who was arguably Chelsea's best player in Project Restart last summer.
He scored five goals, assisted four, and netted in the FA Cup final before a cruel hamstring injury derailed his ascent.
The former Dortmund star has also struggled with injuries this season, missing 12 matches with muscle problems so far.
'He was a bit unlucky in the last few games,' Tuchel added. 'It isn't a lack of trust or quality, it is just that he will have to be patient.'
In Tuchel's defence, he has an attacking midfield strength-in-depth which - bar perhaps Manchester City - is unmatched in the Premier League.
Mason Mount is the team's best player right now and is deserving of occupying that number 10 role.
Even Kai Havertz, who has struggled in his first season in English football, excelled on Monday.
Out-wide, Tuchel is persevering with Timo Werner at times, while the back-three formation now utilised means the full backs now often provide the width, leaving less room for attacking wingers in the starting XI.
Actually, when coming on, Pulisic has at times been used at right wing back because of this approach. And even in that department, Hudson-Odoi and Reece James are ahead of him in the pecking order.
But, as he looks to fulfil his potential, will Pulisic hang about to try and prove himself to a manager who knows him so well?
Come the summer, patience could be wearing thin.
Sportsmail exclusively reported this week that Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are all keeping tabs on his situation.
All three are European heavyweights, thus illustrating how highly the winger is regarded around Europe.
With the calibre of clubs keeping an eye on Pulisic's situation, the American certainly won't wait around forever.
How Tuchel uses him until the end of this season - coupled with Pulisic's patience if he continues to be a spectator from the bench - may well just decide his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
milliking
405
🎙Thomas Tuchel's Full Pre-Leeds United Press Conference 🔹Tuchel on injuries: "Thiago had a little setback in training at the end of the session, the day before yesterday, he felt something around the same area he was injured. He will be out, the same for Tammy who still has the ankle pain. 🔹Thomas Tuchel says he is 'very happy' with what he sees and the results which have come from the team. 🔹Tuchel has asked Pulisic for patience and to be ready when called upon: "He is in my plans and he is an important player. 🔹Thomas Tuchel says Christian Pulisic was 'unlucky' at the beginning because of the impact he can have from the bench, but it's Pulisic's duty to show up when he gets called up - 'he's been positive' in the last few days adds Christian Pulisic's job is to be ready and that's what you sign up for when you sign for a club like Chelsea 🔹Tuchel wants Havertz to continue playing as a false 9: "In my opinion, this is pretty much his best position between a nine and a 10, to switch positions during the game. I feel confident with him in high positions. 🔹Tuchel is worried about Abraham's injury: "I'm a bit concerned because the pain from the tackle against Newcastle is still there. It's been a long time since he's been 100% free and comfortable in training. Even if he finishes in training, I can see he isn't 100% free. I have complete trust in our medical department and they will take care of him. Tammy had to leave the pitch during the warm-up yesterday and he will get all the time he needs. It's important he feels zero pain and then we can think about his comeback. 🔹Thomas Tuchel says Marcelo Biela's is one of the most fascinating managers out there, a big personality. 🔹 Thomas Tuchel says Leeds United's style of play is intense and unique, and the Chelsea players need to be ready to adapt for it. 🔹Tuchel on Silva and Christensen battle: "They can for sure play together. I am sure Andreas can play on both sides of the back three and they can play together if we play a back four. In the back three, I think the position in the middle is the best for Thiago. For Andreas, it's the same level but he can play on either side too. 🔹Tuchel on his squad: "We have the perfect size of squad but the only thing I'm missing is the opportunity to use five subs. I have been saying it for years, I have so many players who are unhappy who I cannot reward. I have pushed for it [5 subs] at all clubs that I was coaching 🔹Tuchel on Anthony Barry joining Ireland coaching set-up: "You can be very happy. He is a top coach who will join the coaching staff. We didn't know him before – he was already here under Frank Lampard – but from the moment he was a big part of our coaching team. He is a big character, very friendly. He has a great quality analysing games and giving his opinion. I feel he's very comfortable on he pitch when handling exercises and he is a specialist with set-pieces so he does the video session and the training. We don't want to miss him. It's too for Ireland because he will increase the level of coaching for sure. He has top quality and is a top guy. 🔹Tuchel on Premier League target for this season: "Upwards always means the next match. In football there is no harder match than the next one and this is tomorrow. If we take care with our performance, mentality and attitude, we increase our chacne to win. And if we win the table takes care of itself. So looking forward, I am happy when Andreas says it like this but we have to stay hungry. We are in the middle of the race and where we have to look to is clear.
Sahla_HDP
312
C'mon, Tuchel is right. Pulisic has been weak, sincr he returned from injury in October. He is not the player he was last season. He has to work himself to comeback strong. I believe that in this moment, it's best to let him come from the bench and give his all. In this moment, getting Champions League qualification is more important than the players themselves! If Pulisic is a wise guy, he will understand what is best now, and work harder to get back to his best and help the team in our fight. Every player should know that the team is more important than them! It's a Football match, played by 11 players, build by teamwork. There isn't no "I" in a team!
jmaydcruz
76
🎙Thomas Tuchel's Full Pre-Leeds United Press Conference 🔹Tuchel on injuries: "Thiago had a little setback in training at the end of the session, the day before yesterday, he felt something around the same area he was injured. He will be out, the same for Tammy who still has the ankle pain. 🔹Thomas Tuchel says he is 'very happy' with what he sees and the results which have come from the team. 🔹Tuchel has asked Pulisic for patience and to be ready when called upon: "He is in my plans and he is an important player. 🔹Thomas Tuchel says Christian Pulisic was 'unlucky' at the beginning because of the impact he can have from the bench, but it's Pulisic's duty to show up when he gets called up - 'he's been positive' in the last few days adds Christian Pulisic's job is to be ready and that's what you sign up for when you sign for a club like Chelsea 🔹Tuchel wants Havertz to continue playing as a false 9: "In my opinion, this is pretty much his best position between a nine and a 10, to switch positions during the game. I feel confident with him in high positions. 🔹Tuchel is worried about Abraham's injury: "I'm a bit concerned because the pain from the tackle against Newcastle is still there. It's been a long time since he's been 100% free and comfortable in training. Even if he finishes in training, I can see he isn't 100% free. I have complete trust in our medical department and they will take care of him. Tammy had to leave the pitch during the warm-up yesterday and he will get all the time he needs. It's important he feels zero pain and then we can think about his comeback. 🔹Thomas Tuchel says Marcelo Biela's is one of the most fascinating managers out there, a big personality. 🔹 Thomas Tuchel says Leeds United's style of play is intense and unique, and the Chelsea players need to be ready to adapt for it. 🔹Tuchel on Silva and Christensen battle: "They can for sure play together. I am sure Andreas can play on both sides of the back three and they can play together if we play a back four. In the back three, I think the position in the middle is the best for Thiago. For Andreas, it's the same level but he can play on either side too. 🔹Tuchel on his squad: "We have the perfect size of squad but the only thing I'm missing is the opportunity to use five subs. I have been saying it for years, I have so many players who are unhappy who I cannot reward. I have pushed for it [5 subs] at all clubs that I was coaching 🔹Tuchel on Anthony Barry joining Ireland coaching set-up: "You can be very happy. He is a top coach who will join the coaching staff. We didn't know him before – he was already here under Frank Lampard – but from the moment he was a big part of our coaching team. He is a big character, very friendly. He has a great quality analysing games and giving his opinion. I feel he's very comfortable on he pitch when handling exercises and he is a specialist with set-pieces so he does the video session and the training. We don't want to miss him. It's too for Ireland because he will increase the level of coaching for sure. He has top quality and is a top guy. 🔹Tuchel on Premier League target for this season: "Upwards always means the next match. In football there is no harder match than the next one and this is tomorrow. If we take care with our performance, mentality and attitude, we increase our chacne to win. And if we win the table takes care of itself. So looking forward, I am happy when Andreas says it like this but we have to stay hungry. We are in the middle of the race and where we have to look to is clear.