Lewis Hall starts for Chelsea against Man City (Photo: Getty)
Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall will play only his second ever senior game on Wednesday night against Manchester City.
The 18-year-old was named in the starting XI for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie at the Etihad.
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.
Forward Omari Hutchinson has 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.’
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.
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.’
MORE : Pep Guardiola urges Chelsea to back Graham Potter
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Chelsea face City in the Carabao Cup.
