Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has some questions to answer following his side’s defeat to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
Chelsea lost 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final tie, with Mauricio Pochettino putting out an interesting team.
The Argentine started Cole Palmer up front instead of Armando Broja and, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, it was a decision that has led to internal discussions at the club. Jacobs shared the information in a post on X.
Going into the game, Broja would have been expected to start. With Nicolas Jackson away at the Africa Cup of Nations, the 22-year-old is the only recognised striker currently in the Blues’ squad.
However, Pochettino told reporters after the match that he is trying to be cautious with the player after his injury problems.
Armando Broja not starting a talking point at Chelsea
Jacobs has claimed that Broja not starting against Middlesbrough and Pochettino’s use of Levi Colwill have been discussed at Chelsea.
On X, the journalist said: “Things like Levi Colwill at left-back not centre-back, or Armando Broja not starting against Middlesbrough, are nonetheless being discussed internally by the football department and even senior leadership, although latter don’t influence selection.”
Armando Broja should have started Middlesbrough game
Perhaps the whole 90 minutes would have been too much for Broja, but having come on in the second half, he was obviously fit enough to play.
Would Pochettino perhaps been better off with starting Broja then taking him off at half-time or on the hour mark? After the chances Palmer missed, you would probably have to say yes now.
But that is hindsight and Chelsea can still turn this tie around with a second leg to play at Stamford Bridge. Fans do not have to get too frustrated with Pochettino just yet.
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