Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says he believes he can help left-back Ben Chilwell become a “complete player” following the England left back’s return from injury.
Chilwell made his first Chelsea start since being sidelined with a hamstring injury that has kept him out since September in the 6-1 win over Middlesbrough.
The full-back played 15 minutes in Chelsea’s league win against Fulham, but more encouragingly completed 65 minutes on the pitch as the Blues reached the Carabao Cup final to face Liverpool.
Pochettino says he is still being cautious over building Chilwell’s fitness back up and is unsure whether he can start in the FA Cup against Aston Villa on Friday.
“I think it’s an experienced player. Of course, I think the challenge was from the beginning of the season, the pre-season, to build his fitness and of course, to improve not only his offensive phase but his defensive phase. That was the challenge for us; to help him be a more complete player”, said Pochettino.
“Yes, of course, he’s an important player. If he’s fit, and he can cope with 90 minutes. Tuesday he could not cope because after 10 or 15 minutes of the second-half he asked if he could go out [be taken off] because of course he needs to build his fitness.
“Now we have doubt to start with him tomorrow because we are assessing him to see if he can cope with another game after three days. That is a massive decision because we want to build his confidence and fitness and be fit enough to play the rest of the season.
“That is why we are working really hard with medical staff and the performance area to make a decision. If he cannot start tomorrow, he is going to be on the bench and to see if he can help the team in the second-half.”
Speculation has grown about the future of Thiago Silva, as the 39 year old’s contract runs out in the summer.
The decorated centre back has had a glistening career, but has hinted he may hang up his boots at the end of the season having said after the win over Middlesbrough that it feels as though his time at Chelsea is “ending”.
But Pochettino says it is not a discussion he has had with Silva.
“I didn’t hear what he said after the game. We didn’t talk about the next season, we are so focused on this season”, said the Chelsea boss.
“That question is more for him than for me. Because I didn’t hear, I don’t know. Only he knows, and of course the club if it is going to be the last season or not.”
