:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/9a12b8f0-66e1-11ec-bbe2-02d1dbdc35d1.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel worries about ‘health and safety’ of players | Football")
sport">The English club has had to deal with a wave of corona infections within the selection in recent weeks and the players are now coming back one by one. The games follow each other quickly around the holidays and so with a thinned selection Tuchel sometimes has to let players play longer than is actually medically justified.
sport">“I am concerned about the health and safety of the players,” said the German coach after the Premier League victory at Aston Villa (1-3). Tuchel confessed to taking risks with Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who were both absent in recent weeks due to contracting the coronavirus.
sport">Hudson-Odoi played the entire match in Birmingham against Villa, Lukaku came in after the break. On a pass from Hudson-Odoi, the Belgian signed for the 1-2 in the 56th minute. “Romelu played 45 minutes, which was more than the medical staff had recommended. But we thought we could take a risk with him. I’m glad it went well,” said Tuchel, who praised Hudson-Odoi’s game.
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Callum Hudson-Odoi receives compliments from Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.
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sport">“Normally he could have played a half or a maximum of 60 minutes. But Hakim Ziyech had only practiced once and Callum had practiced two and a half, so we more or less forced him to play. He did that brilliantly. But we did take a risk with him.”
sport">Defender Thiago Silva and midfielder N’Golo Kanté were injured. According to Tuchel, the chance is small that they can play against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday. “This whole situation is very difficult and challenging.”
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