Chelsea: Why Enzo Fernandez didn't start against Sheffield United?

Fernandez started on the bench as a duo of Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher formed Chelsea’s starting lineup in midfield.

Mauricio Pochettino downplayed his decision to bench Enzo Fernandez in Chelsea’s 2-0 triumph over Sheffield United.

Despite being a consistent presence on the team sheet, Fernandez found himself on the bench as Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher supported an attack-minded front four.

Chelsea, dominating with 78% possession, secured the win in the second half with goals from Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson. Fernandez entered the game in the 69th minute, replacing Mykhailo Mudryk.

Pochettino explained his decision after the game, saying: “It’s a big competition and sometimes you need one characteristic, or one profile or another profile, and you need to choose the player.”

The Argentine manager added: “Today we saw that the combination between Caicedo and Gallagher, plus Cole Palmer like a number 10, was a possibility to be the best combination for today.

“But it doesn’t mean that maybe Tuesday [against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup] Enzo can play with another, and another is on the bench.”

Chelsea defeated Sheffield to claim their first victory in three games, staying tenth on the Premier League table. On Tuesday, Pochettino’s men take on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals before returning to the league with a match against Wolves five days later.