The newly signed defender had to leave the pitch only half an hour into the game.
Graham Potter has explained his decision to bring in Matteo Kovacic for Marc Cucurella in the 36th minute of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Saturday.
The Red Devils started the game on fire, putting Chelsea under immense pressure from both flanks. However, the hosts looked more in control when Kovacic changed the dynamic in midfield.
Speaking about the early substitution, Potter told Chelsea’s official website: “The first 20 minutes I think Manchester United were better and forced us back.
“We had to adjust a little bit there, try to get another player into the midfield and put a little bit more pressure on them. They were building their attacks too easily and driving us back.
“The sense of the game was that we were getting overrun a little bit in the midfield, we needed an extra player in there to create a bit more pressure, to stop them building their attacks and therefore making it harder to build ours. So it was just a feeling that I had.
“It’s not an easy decision to make at all but the boys responded really well and they gave everything.
“So we just had to adjust that and from that point I thought we did well in the game. We’re disappointed of course to concede late. But over the course of the game I think a point’s about right for us. I don’t think we can particularly sit here and say we deserved to win.
“We didn’t do enough to win the game. But effort-wise what the boys put in was amazing, it was fantastic from our players and I’m very proud of them for that.”
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