Thomas Tuchel criticised Callum Hudson-Odoi’s “attitude” after hauling off the England forward in Chelsea’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Southampton.
Hudson-Odoi was sent into action at half-time to replace Tammy Abraham, who had picked up another ankle problem.
But Blues boss Tuchel hooked the 20-year-old after just 31 minutes of action in the second-half, sending in Hakim Ziyech for the closing stages at St Mary’s Stadium.
Confirming Hudson-Odoi was not injured when withdrawn, Tuchel insisted he attaches no deep meaning to substituting a substitute and was adamant the issue would be “forgotten” by Sunday.
“But now it’s forgotten and he has step up, learn from it, swallow it, and there’s no problem.”
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl was left to toast a vital point, as the hosts ended their miserable recent run of league results.
“This result gives us a lift mentally, because we didn’t get what we deserved in the last few weeks,” said Hasenhuttl.
“To take a point against Chelsea is not easy. But a few parts of our game were very good today.
“The goal was exactly what we are trying to do, beautifully played.”
