Chelsea vs Fulham press conference: Potter on England trio's return from injury and Jorginho departure
02 FEB 2023
Speaking to the media ahead of Chelsea's upcoming Premier League fixture against Fulham, Graham Potter confirmed that Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling could all return against the Cottagers, as well as explaining Jorginho's departure to Arsenal on transfer deadline day.
The January transfer window closed on Tuesday evening to bring to an end a busy period of activity for Chelsea, with several new players being added to Graham Potter's squad over the last month.
Our head coach discussed what it means for his team moving forward, the club's strategy around those signings and how he plans to keep his large squad united.
'It’s exciting,' said Potter. 'It’s a test for me of course and for the staff and everybody but it’s an exciting one. We’ve got a lot of really good players.
'We have to create an environment where there’s healthy competition and they can push each other and at the same time understand that there’s going to be frustration at times because only 11 can play. But we’ve got a lot of important games and we need to improve our results so it’s about playing, supporting the team and being ready to play.
'There’s a youthful dynamic there. You can see the direction we’ve gone down in terms of the type of player we’ve tried to sign. We’re trying to build something for the now and for the future. It’s always about how they help the ones that are here as well and how we lift performance.
'We’ve had a pretty unprecedented injury situation here to deal with as well, so lots of things have happened. We hope that we’ve learned a lot from that period, gained a lot of strength from that period and we can attack the second half of the season with positivity and I’m looking forward to it.'
Potter also provided the latest on that daunting list of injuries he has been dealing with recently, with some good news on the horizon.
He confirmed four players are now ready to return to action against Fulham, with more to hopefully follow soon, as well as confirming that Hakim Ziyech will be available for selection at Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening.
'We’ve got Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Raheem Sterling and Ruben Loftus-Cheek back in the squad,' he added. 'They’re not ready for 90 minutes but certainly in the squad.
'Wesley Fofana’s been training partly with the team and he’ll be stepping that up next week.
'And then we’re still without Denis Zakaria, Christian Pulisic, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Armando Broja.'
One player Potter will be without is Jorginho, after the midfielder left Chelsea for Arsenal on transfer deadline day. Our head coach paid tribute to the Italian international's contribution during his time at the Bridge while explaining why the move was the best outcome for all involved.
'For the four months I’ve worked with him he’s been fantastic, a great person. I think when you look at his service to this club it’s been brilliant what he’s achieved.
'Sometimes you have to make a decision as a football club with the contract situation that he had to secure something a little bit more for him and his family. It was one of those situations that was a bit of a win, win, win and obviously from my perspective I wish him well. He’s a top professional and a top person.'
== Chelsea vs Fulham injury list ==
Edouard Mendy remains unavailable after undergoing surgery on a fractured finger last month.
Fulham are expected to be without one player, long-term absentee Neeskens Kebano, due to the ruptured Achilles he suffered last year.
== Chelsea vs Fulham suspension ==
Joao Felix will miss the match as he serves the last game of his suspension for the red card received in the away fixture at Fulham. There are no suspensions for Fulham.
As the deadline has passed, no Chelsea player can now be suspended for reaching five yellow cards this season. Players who accumulate 10 yellow cards in Premier League matches up to and including our 32nd fixture will serve a two-match suspension in the competition.
== Premier League booking list ==
Azpilicueta 3, T. Chalobah 3, C. Gallagher 3, Havertz 3, R. James 3, Koulibaly 3, Kovacic 3, Mount 3, R. Sterling 3, Cucurella 2, Aubameyang 1, Chilwell 1, L. Hall 1, Loftus-Cheek 1,
E. Mendy 1, Pulisic 1, Thiago Silva 1
== Chelsea vs Fulham referee and VAR ==
Referee: Stuart Attwell
VAR: Michael Salisbury
Stuart Attwell’s two Chelsea games this season were at Leeds United and at home to Manchester United.
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以下內容出自 football.london：
Every word Graham Potter said on Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea squad decision, James, Chilwell, Fofana
By Adam Newson, Chief Chelsea correspondent - UPDATED 15:14, 2 FEB 2023
．How is Hakim Ziyech after his deadline-day move to PSG broke down?
"He's back in the country and he trained this morning. These stories won't be the first or last, but he is a professional player and understands the situation. He is committed to us and is available for the squad for the game tomorrow. He'll be an important player for us for the rest of the season."
．You've had almost two weeks without a game, how have you used that time?
"We did some off-the-pitch activity, a bit of leadership and teamwork outside of this environment [at the training ground]. But mostly it's been training and working on the team and how we want to play. Of course, we've been integrating new players and getting injured players up to speed. So it's a bit of everything really."
．How much have Fulham impressed you this season?
"They've had a fantastic season and credit to them all there; their staff, Marco, and the players. They have really performed well and they are where they are on merit. It isn't luck. They deserve the points they have and it'll be a tough game."
．Is it a good thing playing against the same team soon after a defeat to them?
"We'll see. We're looking forward to the game and the memory of defeat is still there for us. We felt that, of course, and it was at a low point for us in terms. We played a little bit better than getting no points, but losing Joao [Felix] after an hour and going down to ten men summed up the moment we were in.
"Then it was about showing strength and being together, which we did, and we've come through that period. At the same time, it's not a nice memory losing that game."
．Will you need more time to shape the team with so many players coming in?
"I think coaching is a process. Time helps that but I've never been one to sit here and say that you need it. You guys will talk about time and pressure and the rest of it as we go through the days and weeks. I'm just looking forward to working with the team and players. I'm excited for the second part of the season, happy the window is closed, happy we can move forward and work with the players."
．You can only add three new players to the Champions League squad, have you decide who those will be?
"We've got a bit of time before we make the decision but we're aware of who we need to speak to."
．Is that going to mean a few awkward conversations?
"Of course, there will be a few awkward questions and conversations, that is the reality of where we are. Only eleven can play and only a certain amount can be in squads, so there will always be players who are disappointed. It's about being as honest, open, respectful, and transparent as you can.
"it's important to create an environment where you respect the fact that players want to play and respect the fact players want to compete and help he team. But they have to be patient and be ready to play, perform and help us win."
．Will Joao Felix be in contention to make the Champions League squad even though he's a loan signing?
"He's in contention, yes."
．Does the transfer spend put pressure on you and the players to deliver?
"Everybody that has been in this room over the last four months, the word that we've always spoken about is pressure. So that isn't going to change. Clearly, if you spend money, the external noise goes up. I understand that. I've also said that resources are one thing and spending money is another.
"You need to be able to align them, make the right decisions, and create a team culture because it isn't the amount you spend on its own that gets success."
．There are plans for a football regulator, how do you feel about that in terms of what it can do for the game?
"It's not something I've given a massive amount of thought to but we are custodians of the game and custodians of our club. We want everything to run as well as it can."
．With players coming back, new signings, and the break you've had, does it feel like a true fresh start for you?
"Whether it's just the January window closing or a two-week break that has felt like a pause, as I've said, there is still a lot of football to be played. We are excited for that and for the remaining matches. We need to quickly establish the team, perform well, and win some matches."
．When you arrived, the new owners said they were determined to end the culture of academy players going on loan and create a pathway to the first team. Is that policy reversed with so many signings?
"No, I don't think so. You've got to manage both parts. It's not easy with the aspirations of the club anyway to take players from the academy into the first team and Premier League, but Lewis Hall has had an opportunity and played first-team football this year. He is 18 years old and that isn't straightforward to do. That part of the job doesn't change but, of course, we have to look at how we can strengthen the team in the market as well."
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Potter excited to work with Enzo
03 FEB 2023
Graham Potter has expressed his delight at Chelsea landing Enzo Fernandez and says he can’t wait to work with an ‘impressive young man’.
The Blues beat the deadline to secure the signing of the World Cup-winning Argentinian midfielder from Benfica, with Potter hopeful he can be cleared to potentially make his debut against Fulham tomorrow evening.
Whether the clearance for Fernandez arrives in time for the visit of Marco Silva’s side to Stamford Bridge remains to be seen, but nevertheless Potter has said he is excited to work with the midfielder.
‘We’re very pleased to have Enzo with us,’ Potter said at his pre-match press conference. ‘We’ll see whether he can be involved tomorrow, we’ve got to get through the paperwork and make sure he gets the relevant clearance and all of that stuff.
‘I’ve spoken with him today. My Spanish isn’t the best and his English isn’t great, so we needed to lean on the translator but we’ll get there. He is an impressive young man and we're looking forward to working with him.’
Potter said that he didn’t get too involved with the negotiations on deadline day, leaving that to the board and the recruitment team, but expressed his delight at adding Fernandez to his squad.
‘I'm the head coach so I don't get too involved in the nitty gritty of deadline day,’ Potter added. ‘I am just totally focused on the next day's training and preparing the team for Fulham.
‘I've been involved too long to know that there are some things you can't control and I couldn't do anything at that point to change things. I found out that we’d signed Enzo when it was all done and I'm very pleased, because he is a fantastic player.’
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‘He’s a fighter’ – Potter confident in Fernandez’s personality
03 FEB 2023
Graham Potter is sure Enzo Fernandez has the requisite attributes on and off the pitch to prove a success at Stamford Bridge, with our head coach revealing what type of character the Argentinean is.
Fernandez arrived at Chelsea earlier this week to round off a whirlwind six months in which he moved to Benfica from River Plate, instantly starred in the league and the Champions League, and then played a vital role as Argentina won the World Cup with a dramatic triumph over France.
Potter acknowledged Fernandez’s rise to the top has been a quick one and a period of assimilation is required, but he is in no doubt the midfielder has what it takes to be a hit in west London.
‘He’s still young, coming to this country you have to adapt, you have adapt to the club, so it doesn’t matter what the fee is, that still has to happen, but we will help him with that,’ said Potter.
‘And his personality is one that makes you think you have no concerns with him. He’s a fighter. He understands how fortunate he is. He fights for the team, he’s not afraid, he’s got courage, he’s open-minded, he wants to improve.
‘If you can play in the six for Argentina, and play in the big games he has, at his age, and with the quality he has shown, it’s not straightforward.’
The fee that secured Fernandez’s signature has garnered plenty of interest in the media. Potter wanted to point out such figures are to be expected in this day and age, and he reiterated his confidence in the 22-year-old’s mentality at this transitional period in his life.
‘Every transfer is a gamble. If you look at the market for midfield players, certainly players that haven’t won the World Cup, you will be quoted a lot of money. That’s the reality.
‘We have a player with a huge personality. He has attributes that can play in any league in the world. He has played well in the Champions League. We followed him before the World Cup, we knew about him anyway, so we’re confident in his personality.’
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