“We don’t have players to replace them”…. Mauricio Pochettino admits he’s not been able to rest two Chelsea players recently
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has suggested that certain members of his first-team squad, including Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, are enduring a relentless run of matches due to a lack of viable rotation options within the squad.
Speaking to ITV Football, Pochettino revealed that the continuous participation of Fernandez and Caicedo is not his preferred scenario, but the absence of available substitutes hampers his ability to grant them much-needed rest. In the recent 3-2 FA Cup victory against Leeds United, both midfielders contributed with assists, securing Chelsea’s place in the quarter-finals against Leicester City.
Despite their pivotal roles, Pochettino hinted at his desire to provide respite for the duo, acknowledging the strain of consistent playing time. However, the scarcity of alternative options prevents him from executing the rotations he deems necessary.
Pochettino highlighted the squad’s current limitations, stating, “I think we are shorter, a little bit, in the squad. Because we have a big squad, but at the minute there are 10/12 always injured players, and look, Enzo and Moi Caicedo, they are playing and playing and playing. We don’t have players that we can sub and give them rest. I know that it was maybe a surprise with the changes, but it was because we needed to give rest.”
The manager’s ideal choices for rotation, such as Romeo Lavia, are unavailable, with expectations of his return still several weeks away. Pochettino’s remarks might be viewed as a setback for the academy, with limited opportunities for young players throughout the current season. The challenges of managing an injury-hit squad add an additional layer of complexity to Pochettino’s strategic decisions as he navigates through a demanding season.
