For the second game in a row Christian Pulisic was left on the bench for Chelsea whilst N'Golo Kante and Conor Gallagher lined up in the unorthodox, high-pressing and largely confusing attacking system of Frank Lampard. Just like against Real Madrid, it didn't work.
Although the Blues were able to carry out part one of their game plan in the Champions League second leg they failed to score. Against Brentford they didn't do either and more questions were asked of Lampard's tactical choices.
On the substitutes bench available to him were Mykhailo Mudryk, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Joao Felix, Hakim Ziyech, Noni Madueke and Pulisic. The first two got the nod at half time but failed to make a breakthrough before the Bees added a second. Madueke was introduced shortly after.
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For the second game in a row the American was left out entirely. Although the sheer volume of forward options mean that there are still too many players to switch around every spot in-game. Pulisic was left out and shunted.
It's not the first time this has happened either. Thomas Tuchel started him in just one of the first six league games. It Graham Potter only went with him from the get-go in two of the eight games leading up the World Cup. His record during this whole period has been nothing short of poor.
One league goal and one assist in 21 appearances - eight starts - isn't enough. The caveat is that his teammates have hardly been doing any better. So when the answer is hardly popping out at Lampard the question remains, why isn't Pulisic getting more chances?
Given the sheer volume of competitors for attacking spots it is unlikely that any players is going to be playing too many games in a row. Gallagher earned his chance with a goal and lively performance against Brighton but what Raheem Sterling has done to be chosen over Mudryk or Pulisic is less clear.
Rotation itself will be a factor here. The constant need to change things and make a shake-up after bad performances - there have been plenty - plays into things. Pulisic's lack on involvement when he does play is another.
It's an unfortunate thing that makes him a victim to the circumstances in some ways with other options also not producing the goods, but Mudryk's electric pace and dribbling have seen his cameos stand out more.
The other thing in the equation, which once more applies to other attackers as well as Pulisic, is his future. It very much looks to be away from Stamford Bridge. There are just six games left to go this season and they are likely to be the final ones that the 24-year-old has as a Blue.
He was close to leaving the club last summer but with just over 12 months on his contract it would be a surprise to see him in the squad come the opening day of next season. Alongside Ziyech, Aubameyang, Havertz and Felix he is one of many that could be cut from the team when the campaign is done.
Although the expected new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has held interest in Pulisic before, even his anticipated arrival will likely come too late for a U-turn at Chelsea. Mudryk and Madueke are those that have a longer-term future at SW6 and are being fostered to in that sense.
With Carney Chukwuemeka, Omari Hutchinson and a handful of other promising young players unable to get into the matchday squad currently, perhaps Pulisic and the adjoining underperforming, overpaid players should instead count themselves lucky to be as involved as they are at this stage of the season.
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