Former Chelsea player Glenn Hoddle has provided his view on the tackle which ended Mason Mount's Champions League debut prematurely.
Mount started his first game in the premier European competition tonight after Frank Lampard once again put faith in the attacking midfielder.
But a challenge from former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin ended Mount's night when the Valencia player's tackle saw the England youngster subsequently grasp his ankle.
Mount has starred for Chelsea so far this season after bagging three goals in five Premier League matches.
But Mount could be set for time out after his ankle bent awkwardly following the challenge, which saw Coquelin yellow carded.
Chelsea fans have reacted in unison by slamming the tackle but Hoddle has defended the challenge. Whilst he didn't contend the yellow card, he insists there was no malicious intent from the former Arsenal man.
"It looks bad but when you see it slowed down it's clear that he was going for the ball. It wasn't intentional," Hoddle, speaking on BT Sport, said of Coquelin's tackle on Mount.
Former Chelsea star Eidur Gudjohnsen also added his thoughts on the tackle as he predicted the injury that he believes Mount suffered during the incident.
"It's not an easy decision for the referee to make. It doesn't look like he intentionally caught him. You can see Mason Mount going over his ankle and he potentially has an ankle sprain. He (Coquelin) was going for the ball."
Owen Hargreaves, the former Manchester United midfielder who was also on BT Sport punditry duties, added: "It definitely wasn't intentional. I just feel for Mason Mount."
