Marc Cucurella: Pochettino Explains Bizarre Off and On Substitution Against Wrexham

• Chelsea got off to a flying start in their US pre-season tour with a 5-0 win over Wrexham
• Trevoh Chalobah captained the squad from the start and was involved in a moment that scared Chelsea fans
• Marc Cucurella was subbed off at halftime and on again with a few minutes left to play

Mauricio Pochettino has given details about why Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella was brought on in the second half after making way at half-time, and it is a cause for concern.

Chelsea kicked off their United States pre-season tour against newly promoted League 2 side AFC Wrexham, and a youthful side produced a dominant display.

Academy product Trevoh Chalobah captained the side from the start, underlining how young the side was, and he was involved in a bizarre moment in the second half.

As first called by Evening Standard, Mauricio Pochettino reintroduced Cucurella to replace Chalobah in the 85th minute after the Spaniard was initially brought off at half-time.

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Pochettino explains bizarre substitution

Pochettino quickly explained the weird scenario in the second half, and as though it may look like nothing serious on the left-back's part, it could be a concern for the centre-half.

"Chalobah felt his Achilles, and we wanted to play with 11 rather than ten. That was it," he said via CBS Sports.

After an unfortunate injury to Wesley Fofana, which made Chalobah's exit doubtful, losing him to an injury could prove costly for Chelsea.

The off-and-on substitution is not allowed in competitive games, but for friendlies, it could be done as such are unofficial games and allows for some flexibility in rules if initially agreed upon.

The Blues had two unused substitutes, one of whom was veteran defender Thiago Silva, and it questions why he could not be given a few minutes, and Cucurella had to be reintroduced.

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Sports Brief analysed four positions Chelsea must address after the lengthy injury to Fofana threw their transfer plans into confusion, with winter signing Benoit Badiashile also out injured.

The centre-back position did not look like it needed any additions a few days ago but now requires urgency. While the thin midfield is also a priority, the displays of Andrey Santos and Cesare Casadei in the game against Wrexham could put that on hold.