Chelsea boss, Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that winger, Mykhailo Mudryk was playing ‘too risky’ against Middlesbrough during both teams’ Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tie on Tuesday night.
Recall that Pochettino substituted Mudryk at half time in Chelsea’s 6-1 win over Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi final return leg at Stamford Bridge.
However, Mudryk, who received a yellow card during the encounter, struggled to impress in the first half and was replaced by Noni Madueke.
Asked why Mudryk was subbed at half time, Pochettino said at his post-match interview: “If you watch the game, he got a yellow card.
“He got a yellow card and then there was an action at the end of the first half that was too risky, he nearly touched the opponent and got a second [yellow card], and we did not want to take a risk with him.”
He added, “I think it was an unnecessary risk to have him on the pitch. That was why we changed him.”
Chelsea will now take on Liverpool or Fulham in the Carabao Cup final.
Their next game is against Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.
Carabao Cup: He was too risky against Middlesbrough – Pochettino on Chelsea star
