Potter speaks about why Croatian midfielder has not started

Chelsea manager Graham Potter after their 1-1 draw vs Man Utd opened up on why Mateo Kovacic was yet to start any match.

Kovacic came in from the bench during the Blues’ 1-1 draw vs Man Utd, making it the second time in a row.

Potter revealed the Croatian has been nursing a knee injury while adding that the schedule made it impossible for him to start all games.

The Blues manager said “He’s been nursing a knee for all of the season, pretty much. And then you look at the schedule and it’s suddenly games Wednesday and Saturday, it’s impossible for him to start all the games.

‘We’d planned for him to have less time than he has, but things have conspired so he’s been on the pitch. We know his quality, but at the same time you also need to understand the player’s situation as well.

‘We have to manage the players, we have to deal with what we have. Everyone is challenged at this point as at this part of the season the schedule’s relentless. So it’s always the balance between sharing the load of the players, because they’re not robots, and dealing with the schedule.

‘But the boys are in a good place. They’re fighting for each other so that’s a good starting point.’