Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed two major team lineup decisions he will make in Wednesday’s clash with Brighton in the Carabao Cup…CONTINUE READING ...CONTINUE READING
The Blues are looking to put an end to a run of poor form that has only seen them win two games so far this season – one in the Premier League and one in the cup.
With five points from their opening six games and sitting comfortably in the bottom half of the table, there’s clearly plenty of work to do at Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino’s side have been creating chances against opposition that could have seen them win games, but missing them has put them in this position.
While they can rebound with a long campaign ahead, cup competitions are less forgiving as one mistake could cost a team the chance to win it. Speaking to the press before the game with the Seagulls, the head coach has outlined his goal of winning a trophy this season, with the Carabao Cup presenting that chance.
“It is one of our objectives in the season,” Pochettino said. “We need to think it is one opportunity to win a trophy. Of course maybe the feelings aren’t the best after Sunday but it’s about giving the players the trust and confidence to change our mood. Yesterday we talked a lot and try to bring more confidence to the team.”
While there will be a desire to win the game, there is also an opportunity for the manager to rotate his first-team options to help create competition for places. One of those appears to be Ben Chilwell, who had started the season at left-wing, over left-back, but has recently found himself dropped to the bench.
When asked about the reasoning behind it, the head coach responded: “I am so happy with Levi [Colwill] and the way he is playing [at left-back]. He is providing the team with a very good balance.
Chilly [Chilwell] has the possibility to play tomorrow. We were using him maybe not in his best position because he was a winger, that is why when we start to play with Mischa [Mudryk], our thought was to keep Levi in the position.”
With Chilwell looking likely to start, there is one player who will not be handed a call-up straight away and that is Armando Broja. The striker made his return from a serious knee injury in the defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday, earning some valuable minutes off of the bench.
Pochettino was asked if Broja is in line for a start, replying: “No, he needs time. 20, 30, 35 minutes he could maybe help. He is not ready.”
It remains to be seen which other players in the side will get rotated for the clash, with a mixture of needing a result and staving off injuries becoming a priority…CONTINUE READING
