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Christian Pulisic 'thrilled' with Chelsea return following 'smart' comeback from ankle injury... with midfielder insisting he CAN play as false nine after being deployed there by Thomas Tuchel in demolition of Juventus

Christian Pulisic admits he was 'thrilled' to return to Chelsea's starting XI in their 4-0 hammering of Juventus, and believes he has been rewarded for not rushing his comeback from injury.

Pulisic played 72 minutes for the Blues against the Serie A giants as they ensured their defence of their European crown will go into 2022 after sealing progression into the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

It was the first time the 23-year-old - who came off the bench to score in the Blues' 3-0 win at Leicester last weekend - was named in Thomas Tuchel's starting XI since their opening league game of the season against Crystal Palace, a game in which he also netted.