Tuchel explains why Chelsea defender has been out of favour

Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has been “training excellently” after a “dip of form” has kept him out the team in recent weeks.

The former England under-21 international has been on loan to Ipswich Town and Huddersfield Town in recent seasons, while he spent last campaign with French side Lorient in Ligue 1.

He hadn’t played a competitive fixture for Chelsea until this season but has now featured in 25 matches across all competitions under Tuchel.

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However, his last appearance for the Blues came in their 2-1 victory at Lille in the Champions League on March 16 and Tuchel has explained why.

The German told a pre-match press conference ahead of their clash with Arsenal: “Maybe he feels these decisions are against him but they are for other players. We had Reece James playing in this position because of his physicality and speed.

“Trevoh played a very good season so far. He had a little dip of form some weeks ago but he had good weeks of training now. He had a talk but I haven’t been able to show him with minutes.

“We have Thiago [Silva] in shape, Andreas playing, Reece in these positions. He is training excellently and this is what we demand of him. He will see it with minutes in the next matches.”

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Another player who has struggled to start matches recenty is £97.5m summer signing Romelu Lukaku, who missed a glorious chance on Sunday to put Chelsea 3-0 up in their 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in their FA Cup semi-final.

The Belgium international has faced heavy criticism over his poor performances and lack of goals this term and Tuchel has