Expert outraged after ‘dangerous’ Ben Chilwell development at Chelsea – ‘What is he playing at?’
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel took a “dangerous” and totally “unnecessary” risk by allowing Ben Chilwell minutes against Watford last Sunday (22 May).
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Chilwell, 25, has recently returned to light training after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in November last year.
The left-back played the final minute of the Blues’ 2-1 final-day win over the Hornets at Stanford Bridge.
Tuchel admitted that he was a “bit scared” when he made the decision to bring Chiwell off the bench, as quoted by football.london after the match.
Dinnery did not hold back as he assessed the German manager’s handling of the situation.
“This screams of sentimental nonsense,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“If the player isn’t confident psychologically, that tells you the player probably isn’t ready to be out on that pitch.
“Tuchel had originally suggested that Chilwell was targeting pre-season. To bring him on as a late sub was a token gesture that didn’t really serve any purpose.
“He has been out for less than six months. In terms of his recovery, we are still in the red zone where players are at risk. Anything less than nine-month is dangerous.
“You look at the wider picture, and Chelsea were safe in the knowledge that they had secured 3rd place. It was a meaningless fixture.
“It may have served a purpose for the fans and maybe the player, but we’d be asking what he was playing at had he suffered a major setback.
“Luckily he has come through, but it was an unnecessary risk.”
Chilwell finished 2021-22 with three goals and one assist in 13 appearances.
He has not been named in the England squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Hungary, Germany and Italy.
In other news, punsit suggests Christian Pulisic facing Chelsea exit as crunch Thomas Tuchel talks planned.