Chelsea advanced to the League Cup semifinals with last night’s perfunctory 3-1 win over third-division Cardiff City, showing just enough bits of requisite quality in the second half to dispatch the opposition. It wasn’t pretty, and it was hardly entertaining, but it got the job done while giving some much needed rest to many.
Enzo Maresca rotated all eleven players from the weekend, almost picking the exact same lineup as voted for by the WAGNH Community. The one difference was Tyrique George starting at right wing instead of Estêvão, who, surprisingly, was not included at all in the matchday squad.
There was no shortage of hot takes about that decision, but as it turns out, the reason for the 18-year-old wonderkid’s absence was a minor injury.
“Estêvão has a small muscular problem, a light injury. He won’t be available for Newcastle but we will see for the next one. I think he can be available for the next one.”
-Enzo Maresca; source: Chelsea FC
It’s not quite clear when the injury occured; the youngster seemed to be playing with a knock in his last couple appearances and not quite reaching the heights of his Barcelona performance. Hopefully a bit of rest and recovery will do him good.
