Tuchel on why he starts Loftus-Cheek ahead of Azpilicueta at the right back

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel in a recent statement spoke on the hard decision he has had to make when it comes to which player to start at the right back.

Tuchel in the Blues’ recent matches had opted for Ruben Loftus-Cheek ahead of Cesar Azpilicueta.

The decision saw Reece James move to the back three, where he formed an excellent combination with Loftus-Cheek against Tottenham and Leeds United.

Tuchel while speaking on his preference for Loftus-Cheek in a statement via the Chelsea website said ‘It is more due to the fact Ruben was so strong in training and in pre-season games that we wanted to have him on the pitch, and also his physicality and his height,’ said the boss.

‘It was a decision to go for Ruben and for Reece instead of Azpi, which is a very hard decision because Azpi is fantastic every day in training and as a leader and as a player.

‘Leaving him out is the toughest decision at the moment, but we need a bit of height. Set-pieces become a little more crucial, and we struggle a little at the moment in the battle for the first contact, so we cannot ignore height.”