Published
on November 13, 2022
Chelsea manager, Graham Potter, has said that captain, Cesar Azpilicueta struggled during his side’s Premier League 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
Potter said he had to replace Azpilicueta with Christian Pulisic in the second half.
A second-half goal from Joe Willock ensured Newcastle defeated Chelsea at St. James’ Park.
The result against the Magpies means Chelsea have now recorded three straight defeats in all competitions for the first time since 2002.
Potter’s side are now in the eighth position in the Premier League table heading into the 2022 FIFA World Cup break.
“Today, again, you see they [key players] are missing. Just had a period that has been incredibly challenging,” Potter said at his post-match press conference.
“You face four of the teams in the best moments in the Premier League in terms of their version of themselves, and that can challenge you as well. As much as we can’t accept it, we have to deal with it and try to move forward.”
He added, “It doesn’t make it any easier. Losing Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] when we did, and the Azpi [Cesar Azpilicueta] was also struggling a little bit, so we had to take him off at half-time.”
