Thomas Tuchel insists he has absolute trust in Chelsea’s youngsters despite overlooking many of them for his first game in charge.
The German, who has replaced club legend Frank Lampard as Blues manager, selected a more experienced line-up for his first game in charge – a 0-0 draw at home to Wolves on Wednesday.
Mason Mount, Reece James, Christian Pulisic, Tammy Abraham, Timo Werner and Billy Gilmour were all left out of the starting 11, although Mount, Pulisic and Abraham all came on.
“That was a totally unfair line-up because I had no reason for any of the players who did not start,” said Tuchel, whose side host Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
“I made the choices for a little bit more experience because I thought if a club like Chelsea changes the coach in the middle of the season I did not know how it would affect the young players.
“It is not a trust issue. If you know my reputation in my last clubs I will push every youngster to be ready.
“I have absolutely zero doubts that we have 20 or 21 players who are ready to play for Chelsea in the Premier League and win games for us. No one should read too much into this.