Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel hints at changes ahead of Sheffield United clash

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel hints at changes ahead of Sheffield United clash

Speaking to the club’s official website, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has claimed that he may make some changes to his starting XI against Sheffield United.

Chelsea take on Sheffield United later tonight at the Bramall Lane with the hope of extending their unbeaten run under Tuchel. In three games under the German, the Blues have won two and drawn one.

Over the course of the three games, the manager has handed starts to as many as 16 players, as he gets to know his squad better in the early days of his tenure.

And ahead of the game in Yorkshire, the 47-year-old has hinted at further changes in a bid to keep his players fresh and ready for the challenges.

“We have only two days so maybe we need some changes to be sharp and physical again. We must be able to compete on the highest level against a strong and very physical Sheffield United side, which has won their last games.”

Changes across the pitch?

There will be one enforced change from the team that started against Tottenham earlier in the week as Thiago Silva is likely to miss after picking up a muscle injury in the London derby.

Reece James made his first start under the new boss against Spurs, slotting in at right wing-back, with Callum Hudson-Odoi moving further forward up the pitch. It will be interesting to see who Tuchel opts to play with against the Blades.

Marcos Alonso has been the preferred option on the opposite flank in the last couple of games, with summer signing Ben Chilwell getting relegated to the bench. That could change as well at the Bramall Lane.

Hakim Ziyech is fully fit and will be pushing for a start while the likes of Olivier Giroud, Tammy Abraham are also waiting in the wings for their opportunities.

A win against Sheffield United would take us to the fifth place.