Mauricio Pochettino praised the performances of the gamers given their full Chelsea debuts within the slim Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon, however wouldn’t be drawn on studies that the membership are getting ready to signing Manchester City’s Cole Palmer.
It took a primary Chelsea aim from Enzo Fernandez within the second half to lastly see off the problem of the League Two aspect and seal a 2-1 victory, after Noni Madueke had equalised from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time.
Earlier, James Tilley’s penalty had given Johnnie Jackson’s aspect a shock lead after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez raced from his aim and collided with Harry Pell.
The younger trio of Mason Burstow, Ian Maatsen and Diego Moreira all began for the primary time in an unfamiliar Chelsea line-up, however it took the introduction of Nicolas Jackson and Fernandez for the hosts to lastly settle the tie, with a noticeable distinction within the method of their menace as soon as the pair had been introduced on within the second half.
Jackson supplied the form of incisive operating between the traces that had been lacking within the first half, while it was a primary aim in blue for World Cup-winner Fernandez that lastly broke Wimbledon’s resolve 18 minutes from time.
Madueke, Chelsea’s finest participant within the first interval earlier than Pochettino turned to his bench, levelled from 12 yards after he had been tripped within the field by defender Alex Pearce.
Pochettino was requested afterwards in regards to the impending arrival of Palmer, with Chelsea and City reportedly having agreed a £40million price for the ahead, however he refused to remark, preferring as a substitute to reward his group’s development to the third spherical.
“I don’t know anything at the moment,” he stated. “I cannot talk about players that don’t belong to us. What I can say is nothing at the moment. The club didn’t tell me. I don’t want to talk about a player that has still not signed.
“Maybe yes, maybe no (there will be more transfer business). Maybe you know better than me what is going on.”
Of the efficiency towards the Dons, he added: “It was tough. That’s the beauty of the competition, of the cups. I think for the circumstances we have in the squad at the moment, many players that were involved today, I’m happy with the performance. Many players that made their debut here and it’s tough first time.
“Many positive things. Of course, we have a squad and players that were rested and were on the bench in case we needed. They were fresh to go into the game and of course to help the team achieve what we wanted.
“That’s the beauty of the competition for any club, (when you’re) a Premier League club it’s always difficult to play a team like this, that belongs to this level in League Two. Always the motivation and the desire. It wasn’t a penalty for me, (but) that is the beauty of the competition, these things can happen.”
The supervisor added that Marc Cucurella, who performed 90 minutes at left-back regardless of studies that the membership are in negotiations over a sale to Manchester United, stays part of his plans till the membership informs him in any other case.
“I don’t know anything (about Cucurella). All the players that are involved every day on the training ground with us are in our plans. Then, things happen, it’s the decision of both the club and the player, and if something happens in the next few days, we will communicate to you.”
AFC Wimbledon boss Jackson mirrored on a courageous efficiency for his aspect and took delight in having compelled Pochettino to show to his expensively-assembled bench to seal the win.
“So proud of my players,” stated Jackson. “We pushed them all the way, gave them a proper game. We’ve said all week that we weren’t just coming for a day out, we wanted to go toe-to-toe with them. A bit gutted we haven’t pushed them all the way to penalties, but I have to be proud of everyone.
“We knew they were on the bench and to be honest I think their manager was hoping he doesn’t have to use them, so I think it’s testament to my team that we got them to a position in the game where he’s had to make those changes, bringing two hundred million pound players (Fernandez and Moises Caicedo) onto the pitch.”
Source: www.impartial.co.uk
