Pochettino backs stand-in keeper Petrovic
Mauricio Pochettino has backed Dorde Petrovic to be an able deputy for injured first-choice Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez.
Petrovic was signed during the summer from MLS side New England Revolution and his only appearance in the Premier League was the six minutes he spent on the field on Sunday after Sanchez limped off in the 2-0 defeat at Everton.
The 24-year-old Serbia international will make his full debut against Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and boss Pochettino is confident he is up to the task.
“When you lose your number one keeper it is always a player you will miss,” Pochettino said.
“But we have a keeper who is working hard to be ready.
“We will miss him (Sanchez) for a few weeks and we will have to look at the situation.
“Of course I have faith. He arrived at Chelsea because we believe in his potential.
“He came from football in the USA but now after four or five months with us, it is time for him to step up.
“I have confidence in him to make his debut at Stamford Bridge. We trust that he can perform how we want.”
Meanwhile, skipper Reece James will find out on Monday if surgery is required after the England international suffered another hamstring injury last weekend.
The injury-plagued James missed the opening two months of the campaign with a hamstring problem.
“He is our key player and captain and was ready and excited to come back and it was a perfect step-by-step process,” Pochettino said.
“We played him for 35 minutes then 45, then 60, and that was to build his confidence.
“But for him it is difficult to accept and we have to find the best solution for him.
“It is always difficult to be calm but we are here to help him and make a full recovery and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Christopher Nkunku will be in the squad to face the Blades after suffering a knee injury during a pre-season friendly and Pochettino feels the forward’s imminent return is a welcome boost for his injury-ravaged squad.
“It’s very good news, he will be in the squad and will be good for competition,” Pochettino said.
“But we need to be calm and quiet and not put all the pressure on him but he can be an important player for us.”
