"How do you not start your best player?" - Chelsea fans fume as key player is benched for UCL clash against Real Madrid
Chelsea fans have angrily reacted to Mateo Kovacic starting on the bench in their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The Croatian recently returned from injury and was a second-half substitute in the Blues' demoralizing 4-1 defeat to Brentford in the Premier League last Saturday.
He was expected by many to come back into the starting XI alongside N'Golo Kante for the game against Madrid. However, he only made it to the bench as Jorginho started over him.
The news has been met with huge backlash from Chelsea fans who are questioning Thomas Tuchel's decision.
Here are some of the reactions from fans on Twitter over the release of the starting XI for the huge Champions League clash:
@ChelseaFC How do you not start your best player?? 馃槀馃槀 https://t.co/4qYyr46blm
@ChelseaFC Love the lineup. Feel for kova. Our best midfielder this szn. Deserved to start this game. Hope to see him off the bench. Cmon Chelsea let's rebounce from weekend blip horror performance. Let's Defend our Crown https://t.co/5thfqIfXVo
@MaccaSport @ChelseaFC I鈥檇 have had Kovacic over Jorginho, but other than I agree
Kova膷i膰 is still our best midfielder it鈥檚 just that he doesn鈥檛 have the same connection with Kant茅 like J5 does crap situation to be in for Tuchel tbh
Kovacic is our best midfielder & the fact we can鈥檛 fit him in to our best side due to balance just shows that a DM is priority this summer.
Wow, Kova膷i膰 doesn鈥檛 start. I trust Tuchel all day but this has been one smile gripe I鈥檝e had for a little while now. Kova is the best player of him, Jorginho & Kant茅 these days. I get the allure of those guys even on their current form but don鈥檛 get Mateo鈥檚 continued exclusion.
Why has Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel opted for Jorginho and N'Golo Kante over Mateo Kovacic?
The dissatisfaction from Chelsea fans over the news has merit given the season Kovacic has had for the Blues.
The Croatian has been one of the finer performers under Tuchel this season, with two goals and five assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.
Kante and Jorginho are two of the Premier League's best midfielders but Kovacic perhaps offers more on the ball and will know all about his former club Real Madrid. The midfielder joined Chelsea from Los Blancos in 2019 on a permanent deal, having spent the previous season on-loan.
Tuchel spoke ahead of the game over the talent Kovacic possesses, telling reporters (via Football.London):
"I think he is still completing it. He looks like a wonderkid in training in some exercises. Today he had an oustanding training session and is a fantastic character. A lovely guy, a humble guy, and so interested in sports. He's so happy to train and deliver for the team. It's a true pleasure."
He continued:
"Even at Real Madrid, I was aware of his talent and I felt there was a next step coming. I am very happy that he is my player and plays a lot this season. He is crucial to us on the pitch and off the pitch in the way he behaves."
Despite Kovacic's absence from the starting XI, Blues fans will be encouraged by last year's result against Real Madrid. Chelsea beat the La Liga leaders in both legs of their Champions League semi-final, before going on to be crowned European champions.