Chelsea team news ‘leaked’ as Bruno snubs two stars against Liverpool
Interim boss Bruno Saltor on 'tough' 24 hour period for Chelsea
Chelsea interim boss Bruno Saltor has pulled no punches with his first team selection as he prepares for his managerial debut against Liverpool on Tuesday. The Blues coach only stepped up to the role following Graham Potter’s departure on Sunday night, and the former assistant has decided to follow Potter’s lead by reportedly snubbing outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and contract rebel Mason Mount.
Aubameyang has been frozen out under Potter after joining the club on deadline day last summer and has been left out of matchday squads altogether despite Chelsea’s struggles in front of goal this season.
The Gabonese is set to face more frustration after leaked team news from the Daily Mail suggested the 33-year-old had been left out of the 20-man squad for the game at Stamford Bridge. He recently recovered from a back injury and had been pictured in training on Monday.
Similarly, Mount’s future is also up in the air as speculation continues to link the 24-year-old with a move to Liverpool and the midfielder is set to start the game on the bench, as Saltor looks to make only minor tweaks to Potter’s lineup from the team that lost 2-0 to Aston Villa on Saturday.
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The club are languishing in 11th place and are 12 points of the top four with 10 games remaining after Potter’s sacking. Saltor spoke clearly and assertively in his first press conference since taking temporary charge on Monday and admitted he was looking forward to making first debut in the dugout.
“I have been coaching for four years and have been coaching under Graham. Obviously he has been the manager and he always had the last word,” he said.
“It’s quite clear that it’s not been the case that I have picked a team. Tomorrow is going to be the first time. I feel good. It is my duty. A duty and a responsibility. I am at a really important club and I want to try my best.”
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Saltor was tight-lipped about which players he would be picking for the clash but challenged the squad to give a response after somehow failing to beat Aston Villa at home three days ago, despite attempting 27 shots in the game.
“I see it as an opportunity for the players. We represent Chelsea with an amazing history. It’s about winning and dominating. Preparation helps performance a lot. That’s what the players need to focus on,” he added.
“I don’t have to give any clues to Liverpool. We dominated the game [vs Aston Villa], but we lost the game because of a few mistakes. Overall, it was a good performance,” he said.
He later added: “I have a lot of experience in changing rooms. I will try to help and guide players. Then, I’ve got that feeling that I can help young players.”
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