Chelsea are taking on Lille in what’s turned out to be an exciting Champions League game in Northern France, but it was even before kickoff that the excitement began.
Lots of fans were delighted to see Reece James included in the starting team, but others were surprised to see Christian Pulisic not only out of the team, but not even on the bench either.
Some speculated he was being punished for speaking out in the week, others insisted it was tactical. What was clear was that there was a real variety of opinion on social media.
You can see a selection of Tweets from all manner of commenters embedded below:
Pulisic not even on the bench.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 2, 2019
Keeping Pulisic fresh for Carabao Campaign 😢🇺🇸#FreePulisic https://t.co/3hLpAShF7V
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) October 2, 2019
One note on Pulisic and his absence from the bench. A sign that Frank Lampard does not appreciate his players talking to the press about their frustration at lack of minutes. Message is clear: Shut up, train hard, let your play do your talking
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) October 2, 2019
I wrote “Pulisic on the bench” in my initial tweet assuming that’s where he was when I saw the XI. So yeah, I’m surprised & disappointed he isn’t even included.
With that said, is anyone going to talk about anything else? Time to accept he’s not a big part of the team right now.
— Goals Side (@goalsside) October 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/CFC_Mitchell/status/1179461024086405125
Can't believe Pulisic isn't even on the bench.
Have to feel for the kid. There must be a reason from Lampard as to why he hasn't even made the match day squad.
Baffling.#LOSCCHE
— Scott Kennedy (@ScottKennedyFC) October 2, 2019
I feel so bad for Pulisic if he can’t produce a better performance than Willian 😒
— Citizen Don Kekye ⭐️⭐️ (@citizendonGh) October 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/Guy_Guiga/status/1179483225548193792
https://twitter.com/cp_pulisicszn22/status/1179483085332733952
Nicolas Pépé has been absolutely ripped into by fans yet I’ve hardly heard a word about Pulisic? He only cost £14m less, has been an unused substitute in 4 of Chelsea’s last 6 games, hasn’t made the squad tonight & his only appearance in that time was at home to Grimsby.
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) October 2, 2019
Awful lot of consternation about the absence of Pulisic.
He'll play.
When the time's right.— Dan Levene (@danlevene) October 2, 2019
