Manager's decision : Interim Chelsea boss confirms Chukwuemeka was fit to face Liverpool

Interim Chelsea boss Bruno Saltor was on media duties shortly after his side were forced to a goalless draw under the lights at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, April 4.

For the first time since the beginning of March, England U20 international of Nigerian descent Carney Chukwuemeka was not called up for a competitive game played by Chelsea.  

The central midfielder was in the matchday squad against Leeds United, Leicester City, Everton and Aston Villa in the Premier League, and was also listed for the Champions League meeting with Borussia Dortmund. 

Apart from Chukwuemeka, five other players with African background,, namely Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Trevoh Chalobah, Hakim Ziyech, Denis Zakaria and David Datro Fofana, were left out of the matchday squad. 

The aforementioned players are in good shape and it was the manager's decision not to select them in the squad for the visit of Liverpool. 

When asked if any of the players not in the squad were injured outside of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva, Saltor was quoted as saying by Football.London : "All fit, just Bettinelli is doing some recovery but the rest are fit".

Noni Madueke was named in the matchday squad but was a non-playing substitute, with the Spanish football tactician opting to bring on winter acquisition Mykhaylo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling to replace Ben Chilwell and João Félix respectively as his side searched for a goal. 

Chelsea had the better chances but were not clinical. Goals from Reece James and Kai Havertz were disallowed after a VAR review. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com 

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