Mauricio Pochettino explains why Armando Broja starts for Chelsea with Raheem Sterling benched

The Argentine coach sprung a few surprises with his team selection (Pictures: Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Raheem Sterling missed training with a virus in the build-up to Monday night’s clash with Fulham, prompting him to pick Armando Broja instead.

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The Argentine coach sprung a few surprises with his line-up for the west London derby at Craven Cottage, with Sterling only on the bench and Cole Palmer handed a first Premier League start.

Broja was also brought into the starting XI for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury last December, replacing the suspended Nicolas Jackson.

Far from his team selection being any slight against Sterling, Pochettino says the England international has been feeling under the weather so opted to give Broja a chance in the absence of Jackson.

Asked about the decision to bench Sterling and start Broja, Pochettino told Sky Sports: ‘I think Raheem Sterling did not train in the last three days.

‘He got a virus and that is why he cannot be in the starting XI, that is why we went with the option to play with Armando.

‘I think we started to think [about starting him] yesterday and today I think he is ready to play, that is why he is going to play.

Broja has not started since suffering a knee injury 10 months ago (Picture: Getty)

‘We don’t know if it will be 90 minutes but I think it’s important for him to have an impact from the start.

‘I hope that he can deal with the competition because after a long period that he didn’t play always it is difficult for a player.

‘But I think of all the chances and options we had in the squad we prefer to give the option, or to pick the option, of Armando to play.

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‘He’s a striker and he needs to build his confidence and his fitness and I think it’s a good opportunity because Raheem cannot play from the beginning.’

With Ben Chilwell and Reece James injured and Malo Gusto suspended, Pochettino also brought Marc Cucurella back into the defence with the Spaniard lining up at right-back.

Chelsea are looking to register just their second victory of the new Premier League season and can move up to 11th place if they beat their west London neighbours. Defeat, however, would ramp up the pressure on Pochettino.

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