Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has explained handing Conor Gallagher the captain's armband.

The midfielder has taken the captaincy with Reece James currently out injured.

Pochettino said: "Thiago (Silva) 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 (Fernandez) 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."