Mauricio Pochettino has expressed regret over not having Romeo Lavia available, stating he is “supposed to be a very good player,” after Chelsea’s draw with Brentford.

Mauricio Pochettino switched from his favoured 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 in the game against Brentford.

“It was to try and provide the team a different way to play and to have an alternative in the way to use,” Mauricio Pochettino said following the 2-2 draw against Brentford.

“We needed to provide the midfield the possibility not to cover too much distance. [Conor] Gallagher didn’t start against Leeds because he was very, very tired.

“Because players like Lavia was supposed to be a very good player, and of course Lesley Ugochukwu.

“They are injured and we don’t have the possibility to refresh players that are in a key area. That is why to help them with another centre-back.

“It’s always keeping our ideas going forward, but to try and provide them with more solid and the differences in transition and gives them more freedom and not too much responsibility.”

Lavia joined Chelsea from Southampton last summer but has played just 32 minutes of football this season due to injuries.

Nicolas Jackson reveals why Chelsea deserved more than the 2-2 draw against Brentford