Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino explained the halftime substitution of Mykhaylo Mudryk last night.

The Ukraine winger was changed during the Carabao Cup semifinal win against Middlesbrough.

Asked if Mudryk was injured, Pochettino said: "No. If you watch the game, he got a yellow card. He got a yellow card and then there was an action at the end of the first-half that was too risky, that nearly touched the opponent and get a second [yellow card], and we did not want to take a risk with him."

"It was an unnecessary risk to have him on the pitch. That is why we changed it."

On reaching the final, Pochettino said: "On one side, I think it's an amazing achievement because I think it was our objective from the start. With no Europe, no Champions League, no Europa League, no Conference League, to build a team nearly from zero, it was our objective to be at Wembley in February – and that job is done.

"But now it is about to win the final. Yeah, I'm so happy."