Liam Rosenior moved shortly to minimize any considerations 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 burdened the substitution had been deliberate prematurely.
“I’m managing the group as finest as I can,” Rosenior mentioned. “We have now so many video games. Reece is so vital. I don’t usually do pre-planned substitutions, however I needed Reece to play the way in which I wanted him to, whereas additionally defending him due to how vital he’s to us.”
The Chelsea head coach defined that the change additionally allowed his facet 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, excellent when he got here on.”
Chelsea finally discovered the decisive second by way of Moises Caicedo, whose aim secured all three factors in a demanding contest. The midfielder admitted it had been a tough night.
“It was a vital aim for the crew, so I’m actually completely happy as a result of the sport was powerful,” Caicedo mentioned. “The crew carried out nicely, we obtained the three factors and now we preserve going as a result of we nonetheless have another recreation.”
Caicedo additionally mirrored on his rising accountability throughout the squad, suggesting he prefers to guide by way of his actions.
“Lots of people say I’m a pacesetter,” he mentioned. “I don’t speak 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 have been required to stay affected person, one thing Caicedo felt they managed successfully.
“It’s tough to play in opposition to that, however we managed the sport rather well,” he added. “That was vital as a result of at each second we felt we may rating.”
