West Ham vs Chelsea press conference: Potter reveals Sterling injury doubt, updates on Fofana, Kovacic and Zakaria
10 FEB 2023
Graham Potter revealed his squad has received a set-back in the form of an injury for Raheem Sterling ahead of our next Premier League fixture against West Ham United, provided an update on Wesley Fofana, Mateo Kovacic and Denis Zakaria’s progress and discussed Joao Felix’s return from suspension and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future.
Our next match sees us travelling across the capital to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United in what will be our fourth derby in the space of five Premier League fixtures.
Graham Potter's squad will receive a boost for that game, too, as Joao Felix is available for selection again after serving his three-match suspension for a red card received on his debut in the first of those derbies, away at Fulham last month.
Potter is in no doubt that the Portuguese forward is ready to go straight back into the action, even if he is still adapting to his new surroundings in west London.
'It’s great to have him back,' said our head coach. 'I think we all saw the impact that he had in his 60 minutes before the red card. You could see his quality, I see it every day.
'He’s a player that I think can make a difference for us but at the same time it’s about helping him get into the team, get integrated into the team and to the team-mates around him and for him to understand what we’re trying to do, but the signs are really positive.'
Unfortunately there was also some bad news on the injury front, with Raheem Sterling picking up a fresh problem after making his return from a previous ailment against Fulham next week, although there was more positive news on the progress of Wesley Fofana, Denis Zakaria and Mateo Kovacic.
'We had a little set-back with Raheem, he had a kick in training so we’re assessing him,' explained Potter. 'I think he’s probably doubtful for tomorrow I’d say. It’s a new injury, he just got a kick in training on the side of his knee.
'No one else is back but they’re all getting closer and closer. Wesley has been training with the team, Denis has been training with the team. Apart from that, Mateo’s training with the team, but it will be too soon for him. So there’s good news, we’ve got some options.'
Our head coach also responded to the recent rumours regarding the future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, insisting the striker continues to be a valued member of his squad and has no complaints about his attitude or work-rate at Cobham.
'There’s nothing to report. He’s been training with us this week, training really well,' added Potter. 'So he’s conducting himself well, he’s a really good professional and has been supporting his team-mates. While he’s here he’s doing exactly what I expect him to do, which is to train well and act well.'
== West Ham vs Chelsea injury list ==
Despite the positive news provided by Potter on Fofana, Kovacic and Zakaria's returns, Chelsea are still contending with several injuries in addition to the new one for Sterling, as Christian Pulisic, N'Golo Kante, Armando Broja and Edouard Mendy are all still out of contention for the Blues due to injury.
West Ham expect this game to come too soon for former Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma or Maxwel Cornet to play a part, although there are hopes Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca could return this week. The Hammers also likely to be without Alphonse Areola and Thilo Kehrer due to hamstring problems.
== West Ham vs Chelsea suspension ==
Joao Felix has completed his three-game ban and is available to return against West Ham, meaning there are no suspensions on either side for this match.
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 ==
C. Gallagher 4, Azpilicueta 3, T. Chalobah 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.
== West Ham vs Chelsea referee and VAR ==
Referee: Craig Pawson
VAR: Neil Swarbrick
Craig Pawson’s only previous Chelsea game this season was on the opening day at Everton. This will be his first West Ham match in 2022/23.
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Potter: Chelsea versus West Ham is different
10 FEB 2023
Head coach discusses putting a recent record straight and Saturday’s Premier League opponents…
卻爾西主教練波特討論了最近的記錄和週六的英超對手。
Chelsea travel across the capital city tomorrow seeking a first away win since we defeated Salzburg in the Champions League at the back end of October.
卻爾西明天將穿越首都，尋求自 10 月底在歐冠擊敗薩爾茲堡以來的第一場客場勝利。
Our opponents West Ham United were successful in their most recent home game when they defeated Everton but prior to that, they endured a similar winless run in their own stadium, with their previous victory at home coming in the Europa League the same week as our win in Austria.
我們的對手西漢姆聯最近在主場擊敗了埃佛頓，但在此之前，他們在自己的球場經歷了類似的不勝困境，他們在主場取得的上一場勝利是在歐羅巴聯賽，也是我們在奧地利獲勝的同一週。
Added to the mix is that this weekend’s Premier League outing is a traditionally spicy local derby, something not lost on Graham Potter as he seeks to improve on our points tally on the road.
另外，本週末的英超聯賽是一場傳統的同城德比，這一點波特沒有忘記，他希望在客場獲得更多的積分。
‘It's not a statistic that we like, that's for sure,’ said our head coach on the wait for an away win. ‘Going away from home in the Premier League is not straightforward, everybody knows that, and there’s the problems that we've been having in terms of injuries etc. But it's something we're trying to address.
“這不是我們喜歡的數據，這是肯定的。” 我們在等待客場獲勝的主教練說， “在英超聯賽中離開主場作戰並不容易，每個人都知道這一點，而我們一直存在傷病等問題，但這是我們正在努力解決的。”
‘We have to start against West Ham. I've been there with Brighton and have a decent record there but it's a totally different context. It’s a London derby, there is no love loss I think between the two teams in terms of how the atmosphere will be - which is great. It is a good atmosphere for us to test ourselves in.’
“我們必須先對陣西漢姆聯。我曾隨布萊頓去過那裡，在那裡有不錯的戰績，但現在是完全不同的狀況。這是一場倫敦德比，我認為就氣氛而言，兩支球隊間的情況沒有改變，這很好，對我們來說，這是一個考驗自己的好環境。”
Potter’s Brighton succeed in the London Stadium in August, winning 2-0, but he is not making comparisons in terms of the challenge.
波特的布萊頓在八月的倫敦體育場取得了 2-0 的勝利，但他並沒有進行比較。
‘I think West Ham-Chelsea brings a different edge to it. The relationship between the two clubs, the fans etc. is totally different. But it was nice to win there and hopefully we can do it again.
“我認為西漢姆對陣卻爾西有不同的鋒芒。兩家俱樂部、球迷之間的關係是完全不同的。但是在那裡贏球很好，希望我們能再贏一次。”
‘Whenever I watch West Ham I think historically they're always tough games. David Moyes’s sides are really competitive. Everybody knows what they're doing. They've got some really good players.
“每當我看西漢姆聯的比賽時，我想從歷史角度來看，他們總能製造艱難的比賽。莫耶斯的球隊真的很有競爭力，每個人都知道自己在做什麼，他們有一些非常好的球員。”
‘They attack big spaces well, defend in numbers and defend well, and are strong at set-pieces.
“他們擅長利用反擊空間，防守人數多，防守能力強，定位球能力強。”
‘So it's about understanding the environment, understanding the fact that it is a London derby, understanding that we have to match whatever intensity is coming at us with our own, and start the game well and try to take the three points.’
“所以我們要了解環境，明白這是一場倫敦德比，明白我們必須應對任何強度的情況，有個好的開局，爭取拿到三分。”
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以下內容出自 football.london：
Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea expectations, Fofana, Kovacic, Felix, Aubameyang, more
By Adam Newson, Chief Chelsea correspondent - UPDATED 15:18, 10 FEB 2023
．What is your response to the alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play?
"I didn't really have too many thoughts, to be honest. It's something I can't really comment on as I don't know anything about it. it's something Manchester City have to deal with. We just focus on ourselves."
．Does it act as a reminder for clubs in the Premier League about how they conduct their business moving forward?
"As I understand it they are just charges and in this country you're innocent until you're proven guilty. So it's not for me to comment on."
．Is it good the Premier League are clamping down to ensure the league is treated in a fair and proper way?
"In any competition you need to make sure everybody is abiding by the rules."
．How is Marc Cucurella at the moment, you mentioned previously he was dealing with off-field issues?
"They are humans with private lives and things going on. Marc is not the only one. At the same time, you understand supporters pay their money and the most important thing is what happens on that pitch over 90 minutes. But nevertheless, players have to deal with stuff.
"Marc is fine, he's going about his work. He knows he is probably not in the best moment of form but he isn't the only player who has to come through a moment. He is a player the club invested money in during the summer and it is our job to help him, support him, and bring him to the place where he is showing everyone his qualities."
．There was a tweet liked by Todd Boehly on Twitter yesterday that stated Marc Cucurella wasn't good enough to play for the club, is that difficult for a player?
"I don't know. I can't comment. It isn't a reflection of Todd in any way. I don't know how social media works and everybody here is really supportive of Marc and we're trying to help him get back to his level and enjoy his football. If a player is enjoying his football, the chance is he is going to play well."
．With Benoit Badiashile not able to play in the Champions League next week, do you feel you need to test your defence for Dortmund on Wednesday?
"The most important thing is we focus on West Ham, that is the best way to prepare for any future game. We're really happy with Benoit and he is in our thoughts of West Ham. Then we have to make another decision for Wednesday."
．You mentioned about Joao integrating into the squad, how much do you need the squad to integrate quickly?
"Well if you listen to you guys, yes. And obviously ultimately I’m going to say yes. I’m not going to say they need to integrate slowly."
．How much patience can you give the new signings?
"How much patience am I able to give them? Well it’s my job. When you’re coaching players and human beings there is a process that you go through, you have to work, be patient and understand the context, the situation. There will be lots of talk around pressure and time. If I’d had a month of time for every time I’ve been asked that question, I’d be here for about 10 years. It’s just the nature of it. That’s how it is.
．The perception of a Chelsea manager is you have to be successful, win trophies, and get into Europe? There is a finite amount of time then?
"Of course. I’m not stupid. At the end of the day if results aren’t what this club should get then I understand and if I’m the reason for it, then that’s the job. In the meantime, I will go through the process of working with players, helping them improve, come together.
"It’s a complicated situation at the moment but I’m really excited for it. I have to be honest. I’m really looking forward to it, really looking forward to the challenge that awaits us. But again, I don't worry too much about the absolute timescale of it all.
．You described the initial European Super League plans as ‘sad, disturbing and frustrating’, what do you think of the new plans that have been released?
"My position hasn’t changed. It’s the Premier League, Champions League, wherever you are you get there on sporting merit. That’s my position still."
．Does your position have to change if you're a manager of a club that could be involved in it?
"It’s hard to answer a hypothetical question, but no. My position is my position and that’s it."
．Do you recognise the difficulties David Moyes has had?
"I have no sympathies for him, no. That’s a joke."
．You were pictured this week having lunch with the owners and Emma Hayes. How has your relationship changed as the club have invested?
"I think the expectations have always stayed the same, we want to develop a team that ultimately wins. We know there are opportunities to make changes to the team in the windows when they’re open. That hasn’t changed.
"My relationship with them has stayed consistent with them in that there has been regular dialogue and conversation. We understand where we both are in terms of where we see the overall picture, where we see the team. We are working together really well to try to keep improving."
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