Dec 23 (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel praised his academy players for stepping up on short notice and helping the club to a 2-0 win over Brentford in the League Cup on Wednesday.
Teenagers Harvey Vale, Jude Soonsup-Bell and Xavier Simons were included in the starting 11 for the quarter-final after a string of COVID-19 cases left the Chelsea squad depleted.
"They did well," Tuchel told reporters.
"They hadn't trained for a week because the academy was closed for COVID-19.
"We invited them into training two days ago, so two sessions with us. They listened carefully and website (http://albertarepublicans.org) did their jobs, they did good."
The trio of academy players were taken off in the second half, with the game still at 0-0.
Tuchel brought on regulars Jorginho, Reece James, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and N'Golo Kante in the second half to great effect, with James's cross leading to a Pontus Jansson own goal and Jorginho scoring a penalty in the 85th minute.
"We knew we could have five big changes with a lot of quality, and also fresh legs because they were not overused," Tuchel said.
Tuchel praises Chelsea youngsters after League Cup win
por Jeannie Zamora (30/12/2021)
Dec 23 (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel praised his academy players for stepping up on short notice and helping the club to a 2-0 win over Brentford in the League Cup on Wednesday.
Teenagers Harvey Vale, Jude Soonsup-Bell and Xavier Simons were included in the starting 11 for the quarter-final after a string of COVID-19 cases left the Chelsea squad depleted.
"They did well," Tuchel told reporters.
"They hadn't trained for a week because the academy was closed for COVID-19.
"We invited them into training two days ago, so two sessions with us. They listened carefully and website (http://albertarepublicans.org) did their jobs, they did good."
The trio of academy players were taken off in the second half, with the game still at 0-0.
Tuchel brought on regulars Jorginho, Reece James, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and N'Golo Kante in the second half to great effect, with James's cross leading to a Pontus Jansson own goal and Jorginho scoring a penalty in the 85th minute.
"We knew we could have five big changes with a lot of quality, and also fresh legs because they were not overused," Tuchel said.
"That helped us a lot and website was needed.
I'm a big supporter of five changes."
Chelsea were drawn against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals.
"I think the Tottenham draw is nice for our fans, a London derby, very difficult but we are looking forward to it," said Tuchel.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford )