Graham Potter insisted it was “not an easy decision” to take Marc Cucurella off before half-time during Saturday’s draw with Manchester United.
After a difficult start for the team as a whole, the former Brighton defender was replaced by Mateo Kovacic in an effort to wrestle back some control in the midfield battle.
Brought in for the injured Kalidou Koulibaly, Cucurella lasted only 36 minutes at Stamford Bridge and has only completed one full Premier League game since Potter’s appointment.
Kovacic’s introduction did allow the home side a foothold but the game still descended into a chaotic ending.
Jorginho stroked home a late penalty after Scott McTominay brought down Armando Broja as United defended a corner, only for Casemiro to score a stunning header in the dying embers of the 1-1 draw.
“The sense in the game was that we were getting a little bit overrun in midfield and we needed an extra player in there to create a bit more pressure and stop them building their attacks, and therefore making it harder for us to build ours,” said Potter of his decision.
“It’s just a feeling I had. It wasn’t an easy decision to make at all but the boys responded really well and gave everything.”
