Chelsea boss Graham Potter has explained why he took off Mykhailo Mudryk at half-time in Chelsea’s goalless draw against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.

The 22-year-old, who joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in an £89million deal last month, gave an electric display in his first appearance for the club, a 35-minute cameo against Liverpool last month.

But he was rather less effective in his full debut against Fulham and was withdrawn at the break, with fellow January recruit Noni Madueke coming on in his place.

Speaking to beIN Sports after the game, Potter said: “It’s always that way sometimes with the young players.

“He also had a really heavy cold as well. He’s suffered a little bit with that this week.

“So he was just feeling a little heavy-legged at half-time. We didn’t want to take any risks with him.

“We had some substitutes, I thought Noni Madueke came on and did really well as well, so that’s a positive for us.”

In a separate interview with Sky Sports, Potter added: “We didn’t want to take a chance with him.

“He’s still in a process where we’re building up his minutes because of the break that he’s been on in Ukraine. So that was the decision there.”