Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel explains reasons for making five changes for Southampton clash

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Thomas Tuchel revealed he ripped up his Chelsea team because he feared something was “lacking” in his European champions.

On the back of two straight defeats, the German made five changes for Saturday’s clash with Southampton – and it paid off with a 3-1 win.

All three goal were scored by players recalled to side, with Trevoh Chalobah, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell providing the goals.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi were the other inclusions after Wednesday’s desperately disappointing 1-0 defeat to Juventus.

Tuchel admitted: “In the last two games we lost and felt something was lacking so we decided to put Ruben because we were aware of the high pressing in midfield [from Southampton] and still we wanted to go through midfield and to have Ruben and [Mateo] Kovacic who can not only pass but drive with the ball to escape the pressing. That was the reason why we picked them.”

Tuchel praised Werner for his decisive strike, which put Chelsea back in front after James Ward-Prowse cancelled out Chalobah’s opener with a second half penalty.

Werner had seen an earlier goal ruled out by VAR – the 16th time that has happened to him since joining Chelsea.

“We have the feeling every time he scores there will be a VAR decision to take it away from him, very narrow decisions,” said the Chelsea manager.  “I remember one against Liverpool for example was super close.

“He has to keep on going, he can improve his game, a lot to improve but we are happy and relieved also that he scored in the late minutes of this game. It was very important goal to secure the win and on the other hand he was there where he needed to be.”

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