Potter wrong not to use thrilling young Chelsea stars in UCL

The Pride of London believe Graham Potter is wrong to say that he will not debut some of Chelsea’s thrilling young stars in the Champions League versus Dinamo Zagreb.

Chelsea are through to the UCL Knockout Round. Chelsea will top Group E whatever the outcome of the Zagreb fixture. Essentially, this is a perfect time to rotate the Blues squad. In addition to that, there was a chance for some startlingly adept young players to receive opportunity among the presumably periphery senior faces in the starting XI.

However, Potter, a head coach I admire, revealed that he is to overlook up-and-coming talent in the competition on Wednesday evening. In PoL’s view, this decision merely denies an ideal situation for true talent to prosper and ultimately be tested at pinnacle European level.

By the way, the Croatians can’t actually qualify for the subsequent round in the UCL so this ‘contest’ really is a waste of time, especially when considering the currently congested domestic schedule. Though I suppose the encounter remains necessary – it’s not like UEFA would or could cancel a match that matters not.

In contrast and disagreement with Potter, the typically logical football.london reporter Adam Newson points out that a match of huge significant awaits four days after the almost exhibition outing in Europe. CFC meet Arsenal in the Premier League at 12pm on Sunday – unusually early, I know, the Gunners’ Thursday Europa League crusade is the apparent reason – so a rest for the majority of starters is a necessity.

The Englishman basically suggested there is no reason for using potential superstars of the future, which is puzzling. He said that he wouldn’t new personnel the experience just “for the sake of it”, bizarrely, as the moment is appropriate. Potter adds that Chels’ must be “competitive”, as well as the 47-year-old wanting to “respect the opponent”. The last thing on opposition minds should be who they are battling, yet simply outdoing them.

Chelsea manager’s ironic change of heart over misguided so-called respect

What is really strange about the former Ostersunds, Swansea City and Brighton & Hove Albion boss’s explanation, is that he gave Carney Chukwuemeka his first Blues EPL start recently; the starlet had appeared for Aston Villa in the division prior. Many expected a good result against the Seagulls last weekend, if Chelsea were dominant we would have likely seen a substitute debut for Omari Hutchinson, too. Maybe Potter’s penchant for developing young footballers is not as it seems.