Enzo Fernandez was subbed off after just 32 minutes of Chelsea’s win over Newcastle (Photo: Getty)
Mauricio Pochettino says Enzo Fernandez was subbed off early into Chelsea’s Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United because he ‘felt sick’.
Chelsea advanced to the semi-finals of the cup after beating Newcastle on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
Callum Wilson gave the Magpies an early lead before Mykhailo Mudryk equalised in stoppage time to send the game to a shoot-out which the home side won 4-2.
But there were concerning scenes in the first-half for Chelsea after midfielder Fernandez was subbed off after just 32 minutes, with striker Armando Broja taking his place.
The Argentine World Cup winner looked poorly as he walked off the pitch and after briefly embracing Pochettino he went straight down the tunnel.
Post-match, he reappeared and looked very teary as he and his teammates applauded the crowd.
Speaking post-match, Pochettino confirmed reports that Fernandez was ill, saying: ‘He felt sick.
Mykhailo Mudryk’s stoppage time equaliser sent the match to penalties (Photo: Getty)
‘He didn’t feel well before the game and then when he started to play, it wasn’t going well. He asked to come out because he wasn’t feeling well.
‘He was a little bit sick before the game. He tried, he wanted to play, see if it goes well but it goes not so well and that is why [he looked upset].’
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The manager also confirmed that Levi Colwill’s substitution was not injury related: ‘Colwill was more tactics. He was a little bit tired at the end of the first half. Levi is going to be ready for the next game.
‘My perception was he was a little bit tired and we wanted a more offensive player to provide more energy. That was why we go for the option.’
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The Blues beat the Magpies on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.