Chelsea fans have reacted to Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell being named on the bench in Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Zenit.
Thomas Tuchel named the pair amongst the substitutes.
It’s the start of their European Cup defence on Tuesday night in west London as they play out their first match of Group H against Russian opposition.
Chelsea XI to face Zenit St Petersburg: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount, Ziyech, Lukaku
Bench: Kepa, Bergstrom, Silva, Werner, Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah, Saul, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Chilwell, Havertz, Sarr
Cesar Azpilicueta captains the side, playing alongside Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen with Edouard Mendy in goal.
Reece James and Marcos Alonso are the wing-backs as Chilwell is yet again left out. The defender has not featured since the Champions League final last season.
Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho are named in midfield as Saul Niguez drops to the bench..
Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount and Romelu Lukaku all start in attack for the Blues in west London.
Here’s how Chelsea fans reacted to Werner and Chilwell not being named in the starting XI on social media:
The best manager in the world saw these guys in training and decided what is best. Nothing more to it
— CE (@CarefreeEra) September 14, 2021
Really disappointed especially about Chilwell, getting really concerned now to be honest, Alonso hasn't exactly been outstanding
— Tom Clifford ⭐⭐ (@tomcliffordcfc) September 14, 2021
Good decision, 5 subs allowed in this comp vs 3 in the PL. Secure the W or thereabouts and give them minutes. No cause for worry.
— Giacomo (@trader_gia) September 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/Umlokii/status/1437837738015854604https://twitter.com/Gil20460578/status/1437838907568111617
Timo should've start ahead of ziyech.
But I respect the managers choice.— OBINNAYA 🇳🇬 (@ilotonti_obinna) September 14, 2021
Simple. Timo hasn’t shown he deserves to start and Alonso hasn’t shown he deserves to be dropped.
— Axel (@AxelOzzz15) September 14, 2021
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