‘Still not ready’: Mauricio Pochettino on why he’s ignored 22y/o gem despite huge transfer fee and experience

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez is not ready to be the club’s captain because his English is not that good.

Conor Gallagher was captain in the League Cup game against Wimbledon and even though there was not much in that, the England midfielder was chosen to lead the team again at Bournemouth when Ben Chilwell was on the bench.

Pochettino was asked why Eno Fernandez who the club broke the bank to bring was on the pitch as well as Thiago Silva but it was the former on-loan Crystal Palace man that got the armband.

The Argentine manager said it was solely down to Gallagher’s proficiency in English. The Chelsea manager said: “Thiago is an experienced player that doesn’t need the armband.

“Then I think it’s important to build something for the future. Not only the present but the future. He is there and the captain is not only to put the armband on your arm.

“To clarify, I think maybe it was Thiago to give it to Enzo but Enzo is still struggling with his English. If we need to communicate with the referee and everything I think Conor can perfectly do the job and for me I prefer Conor to Enzo because I think Conor can speak normally, English.

“I think Enzo is still not ready to be a captain. It is not only because of character personality or profile. It’s about you need to communicate with the people and if you don’t manage the language properly you cannot be captain no? I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong but it’s my opinion.”

Chelsea have endured a difficult start to the season with just one win in their first five league games and face a Villa side who have not lost a game in London under Unai Emery.