Mauricio Pochettino explained his decision to substitute Cole Palmer with 20 minutes remaining in the Premier League match against Sheffield United.
Palmer, who had recently scored a remarkable hat-trick in a thrilling comeback victory over Manchester United, started the game but was replaced by Noni Madueke.
Concerns arose when Palmer was seen holding his back in pain, leading to speculation about a potential injury.
However, Pochettino swiftly dispelled any worries during his press conference, stating that Palmer was not injured but appeared tired.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring Palmer’s safety, especially after his recent goal-scoring exploits.
Pochettino mentioned that Carney, another No. 10 player, could fulfill Palmer’s role and expressed satisfaction with his performance.
Reflecting on the match, Pochettino expressed frustration over conceding in the first half after taking the lead.
He acknowledged the team’s inability to maintain solidity and strength throughout the game, attributing it to a lack of stability and balance.
Despite possessing power and possession, Pochettino felt that the team failed to demonstrate resilience and was prone to conceding goals.
He lamented the team’s inconsistency, noting a shift from being defensively stable earlier in the season to conceding more goals in recent matches.
In an attempt to rectify the situation, Pochettino revealed that they experimented with different personnel and tactics but struggled to find the right balance.
He acknowledged the team’s efforts to adapt but emphasized the need for improvement in defensive stability.
Overall, Pochettino acknowledged the fairness of the draw but highlighted the team’s need to address defensive vulnerabilities to achieve better results in future matches.
