Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher was made captain against AFC Wimbledon and Bournemouth in the absence of captain Reece James and his deputy Ben Chilwell.

But on two occasions earlier this season when Chilwell has been substituted he has handed the armband to Thiago Silva who, rather than keep it, has passed it on to January signing Enzo Fernandez, even though Gallagher was also on the field at the time.

Explaining why Gallagher and not Fernandez was made captain against Bournemouth, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said:

“Thiago is an experienced player that doesn’t need the armband and 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 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 than 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 or personality or profile. It’s about you need to communicate with the people and if you don’t manage still the language properly you cannot be captain no? I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong but it’s my opinion.”