Craig Burley insisted Thomas Tuchel must take risks in his team selection for the final Premier League match against Aston Villa and set aside thoughts of the Champions League final for now.
There is no doubt that Tuchel will have to make difficult team decisions.
Despite sitting third in the table, one point above top-four rivals; Liverpool and Leicester City, Chelsea still might need a win to secure a Champions League spot.
On the other hand, the Chelsea manager will also have to put next week’s Champions League final into consideration.
Their opponents Manchester City are likely going to rest some of their key players, having already clinched the league title.
However, Burley has urged Tuchel to avoid repeating the same mistake he did in the FA Cup final defeat.
Not the time for ‘tinkering’, say Burley
“No, he can’t,” the former Chelsea midfielder told ESPN FC about Tuchel’s potentially tinkering his team for the trip to Villa Park with the Champions League final in mind.
“He tinkered in the FA Cup final and lost, deservedly so.
“I know he’s got a Champions League final coming up a week or so later, but he has to forget about that.
“He’s got to play his strongest team, and if [they] pick up a couple of injuries, that’s the way it is.
“He cannot afford, after coming in and doing the job he’s done, for it all to unravel by trying to be a little bit too clever. Because Villa are not a poor side.
“So he has to, [having a] Champions League final or not, play his strongest team.”
Tuchel at risk of ‘unravelling’ brilliant job he’s done so far
Burley specifically mentioned N’Golo Kante’s case.
The energetic midfielder had to leave the pitch early in the win over Leicester City in midweek due to a hamstring issue.
While Kante could be available on Sunday, Tuchel is likely going to be very cautious about his workload.
“He [Tuchel] is going to have to figure out how he balances players with little niggles,” Burley added.
“[Because he could] potentially miss the Champions League via league position.
“[Chelsea] might get it via the Champions League final itself, but they’re not the favourites.”
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