Christian Pulisic didn’t even get off the bench for Chelsea Monday. (FrontRowSoccer.com Photo)

It’s bad enough that Christian Pulisic has been relegated to the bench during the early days of Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea.

It got worse Monday as the U.S. international midfielder did not even get off of it in the Blues’ 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the English Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge Monday.

“Today, the first change was already made in the first half from injury and Christian was a very tight decision if he starts again after the cup game, or if he comes on from the bench,” Tuchel said in a postgame press conference.

“We decided for another eleven to start. Unfortunately, we only had three changes which makes it very difficult to give time to the players, to let everybody play, and to have an impact with the changes of fresh legs. That makes it difficult and the third change we didn’t want to use too early.

“During the match, we did what we normally do which is to only change to win the match. He deserves to start, or to come in but I could only use three guys. I hope he keeps on going and he will make an important impact for us in the future.”

Tuchel was Pulisic’s coach at Borussia Dortmund, where the U.S. player started his European sojourn before he was transferred to Chelsea.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.