Chelsea head manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he has been forced to work out with just 3 veteran players available, and that his injuries show no signs of going away. The Blues face Arsenal in a clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, but Pochettino’s arrangements have been hampered. through a series of first-team absences and late arrivals from their foreign service.
Les Bleus returned on Thursday and Friday after the foreign break, when their stars returned from betting on their country. But Pochettino was forced to sign players from his academy to make up for the numbers from the break, with only a handful of first-team members. -Team that will have to participate.
Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling and Marc Cucurella were the only players who had compatibility to exercise and did not do so for overseas assignments with their respective nations. With 8 players sidelined for additional rehab or arriving late to Cobham, Pochettino was left naked.
But while the 51-year-old has indicated that the situation is not ideal, he also appreciated that it gives him a rare opportunity to rule the club’s youngsters.
READ MORE Chelsea manager Pochettino sweats for 4 stars as six others miss clash with Arsenal [TEAM NEWS]
“We’re really enjoying [the break] because we’re finding a lot of young ability from the academy,” Pochettino told a news conference on Friday. “80 consistent with the percentage of the team absent [for the foreign team], with some injured players. We only had Thiago, Raheem and Marc Cucurella at our disposal.
“I’ve been delayed by more than an hour [for the press conference] because of the meetings and then training, before tomorrow, because we only have today to prepare for the game. “
It is the first time Chelsea have fielded a young team in a Premier League match this season. In the goalless draw at Bournemouth, Pochettino named a bench of six players who had never made their debut for the club, adding the 18-year-old. former forward duo Ronnie Stutter and Deivid Washington.
DON’T MISS Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given an update on injuries to Saka and two other stars. [LATEST] Chelsea manager Todd Boehly’s hopes are that the Premier League will “ignore” his plan. [INSIGHT] Chelsea ‘quietly activates star contract clause’ in bad news for Barcelona [TRANSFERS]
One youngster who could start to oppose the Gunners is Malo Gusto, who has been an impressive assistant to Reece James while the club captain was sidelined due to a hamstring problem. And Pochettino has subsidized the 20-year-old Frenchman to impress. if he plays on Saturday.
“He’s very young, but they gave him a wonderful ability and gave him a chance to play tomorrow. It’s difficult to judge, at 19 years old he comes from another league and Chelsea need to win,” Pochettino added.
“On a mission with very young players, the cases are difficult, but we’re really on it. He’s only 19 [sic 20], I’m very satisfied. I wasn’t satisfied when he was sent off, I think [the VAR] decision] was crazy. It’s going to be smart for the club.
Chelsea will assess the fitness of Axel Disasi, Reece James and Nicolas Jackson ahead of the game, while Armando Broja is ruled out with a back injury. Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are options to start the match after training on Friday.