Joe Cole belives N’Golo Kante is Chelsea’s most important player but even if he’s injured the Blues can cope without him.
Chelsea take on Watford this evening looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table and Tuchel has made six changes to the starting XI that drew with Manchester United last time out.
Andreas Christensen, Christian Pulisic, Saul Niguez, Mason Mount, Cesar Azpilicueta and Kai Havertz all come into the side while Jorginho, Timo Werner and Thiago Silva are among those dropping to the bench.
Reece James is not involved as Romelu Lukaku again starts as a substitute.
Kante missed the match with United on Sunday after suffering a knee injury in last week’s Champions League victory over Juventus and has again not recovered in time for the trip to Vicarage Road.
While former Blue Cole insists the Frenchman’s absence will be missed he doesn’t feel that Tuchel’s system suffers as a result.
Cole said on Amazon Prime as cited by Sports Central: ‘What I would say about this squad is with Thomas Tuchel, whoever he plays in any position, the level doesn’t go down. ‘Even the great Chelsea sides of the last 20 years, my side included, when certain players are out our level dropped. ‘Not everyone but we had a spine of the team.
He added: ‘This team, even without N’Golo Kante who is in my opinion the most important player, when he’s out the team Loftus-Cheek came in, Saul tonight, and the level doesn’t drop. ‘The system is so efficient. They might not be the best side but they are certainly the most consistent side.
