Liam Rosenior moved shortly 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 method 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 burdened the substitution had been deliberate prematurely.
“I’m managing the group as greatest as I can,” Rosenior mentioned. “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 best way I wanted him to, whereas additionally defending him due to how necessary he’s to us.”
The Chelsea head coach defined that the change additionally allowed his facet to take a extra aggressive method 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 assumed Estevao was very, superb when he got here on.”
Chelsea ultimately discovered the decisive second via Moises Caicedo, whose objective secured all three factors in a demanding contest. The midfielder admitted it had been a troublesome night.
“It was a vital objective for the workforce, so I’m actually comfortable as a result of the sport was robust,” Caicedo mentioned. “The workforce carried out nicely, we obtained the three factors and now we maintain going as a result of we nonetheless have another sport.”
Caicedo additionally mirrored on his rising duty inside the squad, suggesting he prefers to steer via his actions.
“Lots of people say I’m a pacesetter,” he mentioned. “I don’t discuss an excessive amount of within the dressing room, however I attempt to present it on the pitch and in coaching.”
Going through a deep defensive block, Chelsea had been required to stay affected person, one thing Caicedo felt they managed successfully.
“It’s troublesome to play in opposition to that, however we managed the sport very well,” he added. “That was necessary as a result of at each second we felt we may rating.”
