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What Mauricio Pochettino did tonight after Marc Cucurella gave the ball away

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Reports have claimed that Mauricio Pochettino was not best pleased in the first half when Marc Cucurella gave the ball away for Chelsea.

According to the Evening Standard, the manager sent first choice left-back Ben Chilwell to warm up after 28 minutes following a sloppy pass.

It was an eyebrow-raising decision by Pochettino to start Cucurella tonight in the League Cup, even if it was against lower-league opposition.

Chelsea v AFC Wimbledon - Carabao Cup Second Round
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

This is because it is almost confirmed that he will be spending this season on loan at Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag’s side are keen to sign a player in that position after it became clear that they would be missing Luke Shaw for a prolonged period of time.

Pochettino angry at Cucurella

Chelsea seem to believe that they have the left-back position sorted for now, with Chilwell and Ian Maatsen both starring recently.

While the Spaniard was handed the start, it looked as if Pochettino was regretting his decision when he called upon the England international to get warm midway through the first half.

FBL-ENG-LCUP-CHELSEA-WIMBLEDON
Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images

The Blues certainly didn’t have things their own way in what they would have been hoping would be a routine outing at Stamford Bridge.

Goals from Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez helped overturn an early deficit in the opening 45, as they flirted with embarrassment in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

However, the game was not a good sign for the prospects of Cucurella, whether he features again for the Blues this season or not.