Chelsea manager explains reason for subbing off two first-team stars at half-time vs Aston Villa

Chelsea manager Graham Potter explains why he subbed Marc Cucurella and Kai Havertz off at half-time against Aston Villa

Speaking to Chelsea TV after the game (h/t Metro), Chelsea manager Graham Potter cited tactical changes as the reason behind taking off Marc Cucurella and Kai Havertz at half-time against Aston Villa.

The blues won the game 2-0 at Villa Park with a brace from Mason Mount. Despite the score-line looking comfortable, the game was far from that for Potter’s men.

Kepa Arrizabalaga had to make a few splendid saves to keep his sheet clean and help the team win the game. The manager changed from a back four to a back five at half-time, hence had to take Cucurella and Havertz off.

Here’s what he exactly said after the full-time whistle (h/t Metro):

“It was more tactically. I thought we had to probably be a back five, more so, and be a bit stronger in the midfield area so we just had to adjust it. Sometimes [changes] go for you, sometimes they don’t. Credit to the players, they’re all ready to fight, they’re all ready to help the team.”

Mount pounced up after a mistake from Tyrone Mings to slot his shot past Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez in the first half. He secured the points in the second half with a delicious free-kick. After a wonderful performance against AC Milan in midfield, this was another top showing from the England international.

This is now Chelsea’s fourth consecutive win in the league and fifth in all competitions. The result at Villa Park and a Manchester City defeat mean the Blues can go only one point behind the champions if they win their game in hand, which is against Brentford on Wednesday.

Whatever Potter is doing at the moment is turning into gold. There were phases in the game though, where they missed the control of N’Golo Kante in midfield and the drive of Reece James on the right-hand side.

More Chelsea News:

• Graham Potter reveals how Edouard Mendy has responded to Kepa starting games for Chelsea
• Romano: Joe Shields joining Chelsea as part of the recruitment team is a done deal
• Ben Jacobs claims Chelsea will look to sign Harry Kane from Spurs

But, with the duo out for a lengthy period, Chelsea need to continue grinding results out till the World Cup break. After the Brentford game comes the big one against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge next Sunday.