KEY POINTS

  • Pulisic and Tuchel worked previously at Dortmund

  • The American winger is currently with the national team
  • Chelsea's next game is on Oct. 1 against Crystal Palace

Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic has revealed he was misled by Thomas Tuchel before the Blues' Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.

In his new book, titled "Christian Pulisic: My Journey So Far," the American forward shared he had not followed some of Tuchel's instructions in the build-up to the semi-final first leg against Real Madrid but managed to score in the game. After that, he was assured he would start in the second leg but was instead left on the bench.

Pulisic then came off the bench and provided an assist in his side's 2-0 win.

"What happened before that game was hugely disappointing for me. I'd had a really good first leg performance and our following match was against Fulham in the league. Tuchel told me that he was resting me for the second leg and as a result, I didn't play a single minute in the Fulham game. Then on match day of the second semi, Tuchel tells me he's changed his mind and he's going with Kai [Havertz]," Pulisic wrote in his book, reported Goal.com.

The book further revealed that Pulisic was "honestly" left "dumbfounded and very disappointed."

"I thought that I'd earned a start and, most importantly, he had assured me previously I was going to start. So by the time he brought me on with about 25 minutes left, I was just so wound up," the right winger added.

The book reveals how the relationship between Pulisic and Tuchel broke down by the time the German boss was sacked earlier this month. When Chelsea initially appointed Tuchel as their new head coach, it looked like a good sign for Pulisic, who had worked with the manager at Borussia Dortmund.

However, Pulisic hardly made it to Chelsea's starting XI in much of Tuchel's stay at Stamford Bridge.

Even in the 2022-23 season, Tuchel started Pulisic just once, which came in a 2-1 win over West Ham at home. It coincidentally turned out to be Tuchel's final Premier League game in charge of Chelsea.

Chelsea's Christian Pulisic (R) celebrates scoring against Leeds
Chelsea's Christian Pulisic (R) celebrates scoring against Leeds AFP / Oli SCARFF

Former Brighton boss Graham Potter replaced Tuchel as Chelsea's new boss.

The international break is currently underway and Pulisic is with the U.S. men's national team for their friendlies against Japan and Saudi Arabia. The 24-year-old will return to Chelsea after the final two pre-World Cup matches. The Blues are scheduled to face Crystal Palace on Oct. 1 at Selhurst Park Stadium.