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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said he had to give a few players more minutes than he ought to have against Aston Villa on Sunday, with both Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi getting back to action after missing the last three games because of COVID-19.
Chelsea got a 3-1 win at Villa, with Lukaku coming on at half-time and Hudson-Odoi playing the full an hour and a half.
“It is not so easy when you have a long injury, with a body like and you catch COVID-19,” said Thomas Tuchel.
“When you read the match sheet and read the names you might think, yes, everyone is there, 18 guys and it is a top squad. But if you look at the details, you see that we are struggling and taking some huge risks.
“Callum (Hudson-Odoi) was forced to play 90 minutes straight after COVID-19 because of injuries during the match and that’s the way it is.”
While satisfied with the three places, Tuchel was worried about the players he should pitch once more into it over the bustling holiday time period.
“This is a big reaction and win. At the same time, I am always concerned in the last weeks, I’m concerned for the health and the safety of the players,” Tuchel said.
Third-placed Chelsea face Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday, prior to taking on Liverpool on January 2.
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