Liam Rosenior moved rapidly to minimize any issues over Reece James after substituting his captain at half-time throughout Chelsea’s 1-0 Champions League win over Pafos.
James made approach for Estevao on the interval at Stamford Bridge, a change that instantly raised eyebrows given the defender’s significance and historical past with health points.
Talking after the match, Rosenior harassed the substitution had been deliberate prematurely.
“I’m managing the group as greatest as I can,” Rosenior stated. “We’ve got so many video games. Reece is so necessary. I don’t usually do pre-planned substitutions, however I wished Reece to play the way in which I wanted him to, whereas additionally defending him due to how necessary he’s to us.”
The Chelsea head coach defined that the swap additionally allowed his aspect to take a extra aggressive strategy as they looked for a breakthrough.
“So we made an attacking change, introduced on Estevao for Reece and performed with an additional attacking participant,” he added. “I believed Estevao was very, superb when he got here on.”
Chelsea finally discovered the decisive second by Moises Caicedo, whose aim secured all three factors in a demanding contest. The midfielder admitted it had been a troublesome night.
“It was a vital aim for the group, so I’m actually pleased as a result of the sport was powerful,” Caicedo stated. “The group carried out nicely, we acquired the three factors and now we maintain going as a result of we nonetheless have yet another sport.”
Caicedo additionally mirrored on his rising accountability inside the squad, suggesting he prefers to steer by his actions.
“Lots of people say I’m a pacesetter,” he stated. “I don’t discuss an excessive amount of within the dressing room, however I attempt to present it on the pitch and in coaching.”
Dealing with a deep defensive block, Chelsea had been required to stay affected person, one thing Caicedo felt they managed successfully.
“It’s troublesome to play towards that, however we managed the sport rather well,” he added. “That was necessary as a result of at each second we felt we may rating.”
