Thomas Tuchel has declared that Christian Pulisic is part of plan at Chelsea amid growing concern over whether the American winger will remain a Blues player heading into next season following a lack of game time under the German gaffer.

Pulisic has played a total of 50 minutes in Chelsea’s last three Premier League games, with Tuchel preferring Callum Hudson-Odoi along with others in his five-at-the-back system.

He took the Premier League by storm after his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2019, but he has struggled a little since, struggling with injury issues this season, in particular.

Thomas Tuchel has explained why Christian Pulisic has yet to start a Premier League match for him at Chelsea since he took over from Frank Lampard in January.

Tuchel said about Pulisic: “If he starts tomorrow, if he does brilliantly and if he starts against Atletico and if he scores two goals, then maybe he is the captain next season.

“I know what you mean but this is too far ahead.

“We have so many games and he is in my plans. He is an important player and has the potential to be decisive for us off the bench.

“His job is to be ready like everybody else and when the moment comes, he has to be ready. This is what you sign up for at a club like Chelsea. There is no difference between Christian or anybody else.

“When you sign and play for Chelsea, it is part of the job description of a player to be impatient and patient at the same time. Impatient because all of my players are competitors and want to play every single minute, and this is what they all show every day, the hunger and the desire. This is what Christian shows.”