Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri explained going with Emerson Palmieri ahead of Marcos Alonso for Sunday's Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

There was no space for Alonso in the 18 at Wembley, with the versatile Andreas Christensen the defensive option on the bench. Sarri said at his press conference today why that was.

"I didn't want a left-back on the bench," the boss revealed.

"It is the same situation with Emerson usually. It depends on the position.

"In this moment Emerson is doing very well, so I have to use him. It depends on the mental condition, the physical condition. Emerson now is in a very good physical and mental condition."

It was put to Sarri that he had said earlier in the season that Alonso could be the best left-back in the world, and if his drop in performance had concerned him.

"It can happen in 11 months you have one or two months not at the top. It's not a big problem."