GRAHAM Potter is not afraid to make difficult decisions, and that includes first half substitutions.
Last week, the Chelsea boss sacrificed Marc Cucurella after just 35 minutes for Mateo Kovacic, sensing a tactical change was needed in the game against Man Utd.
And this week, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was taken off at half-time and replaced with Edouard Mendy during their game against Brighton.
The Spaniard played the first half, which was a 45-minutes to forget for the Premier League giants.
Leandro Trossard and two own goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevoh Chalobah saw Chelsea 3-0 down at the break to the Seagulls.
However, despite letting in three goals – Kepa’s substitution wasn’t anything to do with his performance.
Potter explained this time his player was hooked because of injury.
Speaking after the game, the English coach said: “He felt the bottom of his foot, so I don’t know, it’s too early yet. It was too bad for him to carry on. So that is disappointing for him because he is in a really good moment.”
He added: “”We hadn’t thought about it, to be honest. The full focus was on this game. But if he [Kepa] is injured, it gives Mendy a chance.”
£72million Kepa was frozen out at Stamford Bridge by Thomas Tuchel, after some indifferent displays.
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But since Potter’s arrived in last month, Kepa has been preferred between the sticks instead of Mendy.
And he’s responded well to the faith placed in him – conceding just four goals in his first nine games, while recording five clean sheets in the process.
Kepa will now be left sweating on his fitness, with a World Cup around the corner.
He was being tipped to be selected in Spain’s squad, but faces competition from Unai Simon, David De Gea, Robert Sanchez and David Raya.
