“Best in the world so far” – Unfortunately, Poch claims he cannot replace two Chelsea players
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has conveyed that it’s a challenging task to replace Reece James and Ben Chilwell when they are unavailable for matches. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Pochettino emphasized the difficulty of finding direct replacements for the duo, even with efforts made during the transfer window.
Both James and Chilwell were given significant roles within the team, with James being named captain and Chilwell as vice-captain for the season, reflecting the manager’s strong belief in their abilities.
Unfortunately, James has faced ongoing fitness issues, returning to the treatment table after just one game. On the other hand, Chilwell had to be substituted late in their 1-0 victory against Brighton due to an injury.
Pochettino, despite acknowledging the quality of signings the club has made recently, reiterated that players of the caliber of James and Chilwell are difficult to replace when they’re not fit.
He stated, “In all the clubs, important players you always miss when they don’t play. Of course, we always miss top players. When they are at their best, of course, they are some of the best in the world.”
He further emphasized that every team feels the absence of key players, highlighting the unique attributes James and Chilwell bring to the squad. While the club has tried alternatives like Malo Gusto, Marc Cucurella, and Levi in their positions, Pochettino acknowledged the distinctive qualities of the original duo.
Looking ahead to the next match against Fulham, Pochettino hinted at potential lineup changes, considering Marc Cucurella’s impressive performance in the recent match and the possibility of Ian Maatsen playing in his traditional position, despite the manager’s inclination to utilize him elsewhere. The manager is evaluating the options for the wing-back positions for the upcoming game.
