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Graham Potter explains starting Chelsea teenager Lewis Hall against Manchester City.
Graham Potter has explained why he started Chelsea teenager Lewis Hall against Manchester City, which was the player’s second-ever senior game.
Hall made his Chelsea debut last season in an FA Cup third-round tie against Chesterfield, where he assisted the third goal in a 5-1 victory.
For Chelsea’s Carabao Cup match at the Etihad, the 18-year-old was selected for the starting lineup.
Blues boss Graham Potter hinted in the build-up that there was a good chance that several Chelsea youngsters could feature in his team for the clash but Hall is the only non-first-team player starting.
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Forward Omari Hutchinson was also been named on the bench in what is an otherwise experienced Chelsea squad.
Briefly explaining his decision to start midfielder Hall, Potter told Sky Sports: ‘My experience of these games is that there is always someone who emerges.
‘Obviously we hope it’s Lewis but it could be someone else. That’s the beauty of the game. We want to try and win but it’s important that guys who train with the team get a chance to play as well.’
Potter also explained the challenge of having to rotate his squad given the gruelling fixture list caused by the World Cup.
‘Of course we’ve had a six-week period where we would have had 13 matches, eight away, in all competitions, he added.
‘So that’s the challenge of the job. It’s not easy, but we’re here to be competitive and to try to win.’