A number of Chelsea players were reportedly disappointed to be left out of the starting lineup for Sunday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Graham Potter is working with a large senior crop as a result of eight January signings – six of which have already arrived at Chelsea – and only one exit.
The ramifications of this have already been emphasized by the absence of Benoit Badiashile and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the Champions League knockout stages.
Potter has fewer domestic match criteria to complete, but that does not mean the Englishman will have an easier time of it when it comes to selection.
He made six changes in each of the last two league games, both of which ended in defeat, and there were some conspicuous absentees when his lineup was named for the derby with one of their greatest rivals.
Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Carney Chukwuemeka, and David Datro Fofana were all left out of the team for football reasons, the latter having made an impression in the Saints defeat before being replaced at half time.
See Also: Arsenal Hope Gabriel Jesus Returns Before International Break
Potter claimed after the 2-0 loss in North London that the foursome was “unfortunate” to be left out of the 20-man squad.
While it has previously been said that there has been considerable empathy for Potter’s dilemma when it comes to selection, The Telegraph suggests that there was frustration behind the scenes.
There are no specific players mentioned, although Cucurella has frequently received support from Potter – his former coach at Brighton & Hove Albion – during a difficult era for the Spaniard.
Mateo Kovacic was also an unexpected absence from the team during the weekend, but it was later discovered that his absence was due to sickness.
COMMENTS