CHRISTIAN PULISIC is toiling with an ankle injury that has kept him out of action for Chelsea since September.
Thomas Tuchel claims the USA star is having a tough time on the sidelines with the player set to miss his team’s Champions League clash with Malmo.
The fleet-footed forward, 23, has been battling with ankle damage caused during the USA’s 4-0 World Cup qualifying win against Honduras last month.
On the latest status of the injury Blues boss, Tuchel told Goal: “He got injured during a match with the USA, with a foul, a tough foul, and he hurt his ankle.
“There is nothing to worry about in terms of details, and that we are hiding details.
“I cannot give you all of the details because I am not a doctor, but at the moment he has had some setbacks from pain.
“It is simply the pain in the ankle that disturbs him.
“Once these players with quick movements like Christian, once they feel this pain and they are not free in the movement the recovery is not happening.
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“You start all over again and you reach a certain point, and the pain comes back.
“And you have to do a little pause and start all over again.
“So right now, we are very, very close. He was so close to coming to team training last week and had a little setback and reaction, with pain. Nothing serious. From there on we go.”
Everybody is doing their very best
Unfortunately, the injury takes its time.Thomas Tuchel
Pulisic, who notched up six goals and four assists in 43 Blues games last term, has made just one top-flight appearance so far this season.
The American netted in a Prem match win against Crystal Palace on August 14 but has not played for Tuchel’s side since.
A positive Covid-19 test followed by the ankle damage on international duty has led to the player missing 11 Prem and Champions League games so far this term.
And the player who helped his side win a Champions League crown last season is determined to get back to full fitness.
Tuchel added: “He is very impatient, of course, and he does everything and we can see him suffer in every meeting.
“And every time we meet him here (at the training ground) he is really suffering and he wants to be on the pitch and help us.
“Everybody is doing their very best. Unfortunately, the injury takes its time.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
