Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Noni Madueke was dropped from Chelsea’s squad for their Carabao Cup win over Brighton.
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Nicolas Jackson’s second-half goal was enough for Chelsea to secure a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge and Pochettino’s side will now play Blackburn Rovers at home in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Pochettino made five changes from the side which were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa in the Premier League last Sunday as Cole Palmer, Ian Maatsen, Lesley Ugochukwu and Marc Cucurella were given chances to impress from the start.
However, there was no place in the matchday squad for Madueke, who scored in the 2-1 win against AFC Wimbledon in the previous round of the Carabao Cup.
Madueke has played just 44 minutes in the Premier League this season and Pochettino has revealed that the winger is not sidelined due to injury.
When asked about Madueke’s absence after Chelsea’s win at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino replied: ‘It’s about choice, it’s about choice. Election.’
Pochettino also praised the performance of Cole Palmer, who was handed his first start since joining Chelsea in a £42.5 million deal earlier this month.
‘I think like all of the team, I think the team was really good,’ Pochettino said.
‘If we assess all of the players, I think we are in a very good level.
‘Cole is a very talented player, he was key in this victory tonight. Still young, still needs to settle in the club, not only the team, in the club and the city. I think we saw today how good he is.’
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