Chelsea vs Aston Villa press conference: Potter reveals Pulisic concern but Mount, Kante, Havertz and James in contention
31 MAR 2023
Ahead of Chelsea hosting Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, Graham Potter confirmed that several players will be back in his squad for Saturday's match following injury or illness, but admitted there are concerns over the availability of Christian Pulisic, Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling.
There have been recent signs that the abundance of injury problems which Graham Potter has needed to manage earlier this season were starting to ease and, speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's visit of Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea head coach discussed the returns of several members of his squad, including two who returned from international duty suffering from illnesses.
There was mixed news from Potter following the international break, as he updated on the fitness of Kai Havertz and Reece James, who both returned from their national teams early due to injury and illness, while Christian Pulisic picked up a problem while away too.
He also revealed the latest on the recoveries of Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta, Raheem Sterling and Wesley Fofana from pre-exisiting injuries.
'Kai was a fever, but he’s recovered now, so he’s trained the last couple of days,' said Potter. 'Reece as well. Reece has had the last two training sessions with us, so providing there’s no reaction he should be available for tomorrow as well.
'Thiago and Azpi are still away. Raheem’s coming back, he will miss the game but I think he’s got more of a chance for Tuesday. He’s close. Wesley is going to miss the game because his hamstring is still a little bit tight. I think there’s a chance for Tuesday with him.
'Christian Pulisic is the only one we’re not sure about really, he’s had a heavy cold returning from international duty. So he’s the one we’ve just got to check on.'
Another player returning from injury is Mason Mount, who hasn't been involved since the trip to Tottenham just over a month ago, but it seems we are close to seeing him back in action for the Blues as Potter discussed the midfielder's difficult season so far.
'Mason has trained and he’s available. Probably not from the start but in the squad,' he added. 'I think it’s been tough for him because he’s had some niggling injuries and noise and speculation off the pitch. But he’s a top professional and he’s a fantastic lad so how he’s acted with me, how he’s acted with the team, how he’s acted around us, has been absolutely top.
'I think that’s credit to him because sometimes in your career things are difficult, they aren’t quite optimal as you would like them to be and you have to act well and conduct yourself in a good way. That’s exactly what he’s done.'
N'Golo Kante is yet to make an appearance under Potter due to a hamstring issue he picked up in August, but it seems the Frenchman is also close to getting back out on the Stamford Bridge pitch in competitive action, having featured in a friendly against Charlton Athletic during the international break.
'We have to manage his minutes and building those minutes up in the Premier League, because he’s been out for so long. But he’s been training well and he’s had some behind-closed-doors game time. He’s available in the squad and I’m pretty sure he’ll be on the pitch at some point tomorrow.'
== Chelsea vs Aston Villa injury list ==
In addition to Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta, Armando Broja remains out of action as he continues his rehabilitation following a serious injury suffered in November.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is still without Philippe Coutinho and he has been joined on the absentee list by Matty Cash, who injured his calf on international duty with Poland. However, Boubacar Kamara and Leander Dendoncker could both be back in their squad after returning to training during the international break.
== Chelsea vs Aston Villa suspension ==
There are no suspensions for either side in 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 5, Koulibaly 5, Havertz 4, R. James 4, Kovacic 4, Mount 4, Azpilicueta 3,
T. Chalobah 3, Cucurella 3, R. Sterling 3, W. Fofana 2, Aubameyang 1, Badiashile 1,
Chilwell 1, L. Hall 1, Kepa 1, Loftus-Cheek 1, E. Mendy 1, Pulisic 1, Thiago Silva 1,
Ziyech 1.
== Chelsea vs Aston Villa referee and VAR ==
Referee: Andy Madley
VAR: Gary Beswick
This will be the third time this season Andy Madley has refereed a Chelsea game in the Premier League, having officiated for our win over West Ham in September and the defeat at Brighton a month later.
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Potter: It’s complicated but I have huge respect for Mount and Kovacic
31 MAR 2023
With Mason Mount back from injury for today’s game against Aston Villa, Graham Potter has been speaking about both him and Mateo Kovacic in light of media speculation about both players’ future at Chelsea.
Mount missed the previous four Chelsea games and two England matches while it was a contrasting international break for Kovacic who scored both goals in Croatia’s win in Turkey on Tuesday. The midfielder overcame injury difficulties himself earlier in the season.
Beginning with Mount and his contract situation, the Blues head coach had this to say:
‘These things are really complicated. It's not necessarily about my opinion, it's also the player, it’s about the club. It's about lots of things that I'm not in control of.
‘All I can do is give my opinion of him as a footballer and as a person. I have nothing but positive things to say about Mason as a lad. He has been brilliant with us, really supportive, but it's also between him and the club in terms of how they can sort out the situation.
‘Mateo is similar to Mason,’ Potter added. ‘He is someone I have a huge respect for as a person. He’s been great with us, very supportive, he plays a role in the team and has been the captain the last few games as well.
‘So from my perspective he is important but again, it's also between Mateo and the club to talk and when they have something to announce, I am sure they will announce it.
‘I think the club has conversations with players all the time. It just doesn't necessarily mean it's public. These things happen behind the scenes and when we've got something to report, we can report it.’
Kovacic was able to start the last four Chelsea games before his two outings in his nation’s Euro 2024 qualifiers. Moving onto the midfielder’s physical condition, Potter said:
‘He had a tough pre-World Cup because he had a bit of an ongoing knee issue that he's been nursing and getting through pretty much all season. So that's been a challenge for him. But the way he's handled himself has been absolutely fantastic.
‘He's done the work behind the scenes to be available all the time, play the World Cup, and I think the World Cup was maybe a great experience for him and a break from everything.
‘He has come back in a really good way and the last couple of weeks, he's really stepping up and showing his quality, showing his leadership, and he has turned into a goal-machine during the international break so that is good for us.’
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Potter: This player can help us
01 APR 2023
It remains to be seen whether N’Golo Kante will today play competitively for the first time since mid-August but either way, Graham Potter is backing the midfielder to make an impact in the closing months of the season.
The 32-year-old’s season has been hampered by a hamstring injury that required surgery but he was able to play an hour of a training ground friendly last week. Naturally, our head coach who started at Chelsea after the beginning of Kante’s long lay-off is looking forward to utilising his talents.
‘Because the player has been out for so long, it's not so easy to anticipate when he'll be back because you need to be careful with him,’ Potter emphasised.
‘It's hard to really know when he can play again but we've done really well with him and he's worked so hard that he's back in a good place, in good condition.
‘We all know how good he is, he is a top, top player. He can help any team and for sure he can help us.
‘We have a lot of games coming up. N’Golo can’t play every single minute in all of them but he can certainly help us in some and that's fantastic for us.’
Potter has also confirmed that Cesar Azpilicueta’s absence from the squad is due to a knock to the side of his knee in training. The defender has recovered from the concussion suffered in the game against Southampton last month.
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以下內容出自 football.london：
Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea, Anthony Barry, Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante, injury news
By Scott Trotter, Chelsea writer - UPDATED 14:40, 31 MAR 2023
．What did you make of the massive performance of Emma Hayes' side to get through to the Champions League semi-final?
It was amazing. Huge congratualtions to Emma and everyone involved. It just sums up the craziness of football, why you love it. Obviously for Chelsea we love it, for the opponent it's the opposite. Huge night for the girls, huge night for Emma so delighted.
．Ever seen a 128th minute penalty?
Wow. No. Again, that's football and it seems to be the Champions League that throws up those type of moments as well. Delighted that it went their way and it was a very entertaining evening.
．Was the international break good or bad time for you?
I wouldn't say it's good or bad. There's nothing you can do about it, you've just got to take what they are and use them as positively as we can. We've had a bit of time, N'Golo has had some time on the pitch and a bit more game time so that's been good for him. We had a handful of players, not even, in the first week so they were more working individually. The rest of us were reflecting and analysing how we can improve and looking forward to this game at the weekend.
．Six games in 18 days, looking forward to it?
Of course. It's really exciting, it's going to be an exciting month. The focus of us is to stay present to think about the next game. It's a very tough game against Aston Villa. We're at home, we want to respond to the disappointment we had against Everton in terms of dropping points so we're looking forward to that.
．Unai Emery described you as amazing, how would you describe him?
I paid him a lot of money in the transfer window. He's done a fantastic job, he's had a fantastic career. He's someone I've always looked up to. His career, especially in the Europa League has been outstanding but also at every club he's been at he's influenced the team and the players. I'm really looking forward to seeing him.
We met only once in that World Cup break and had a game there. Will be nice to see him again. He's a top coach.
．The latest situation with Anthony Barry?
Anthony is in discussions at the moment. Clubs are in discussions around his situation. He's not with us at the moment, I think it's the best thing while that gets resolved. At the moment there's nothing to report, it's just between the two clubs.
．How long do you expect it to continue?
I don't know. I've no idea, it's between the clubs, it's not something I'm involved in. I've a huge respect for Anthony and what he's done here. Fantastic coach, fantastic person. These things happen in life and football. We've got a really good staff here that can fill in and fill the gap if you like. There's not a direct replacement for anyone but the collective can solve the problem.
．What do you need to see from your side for the rest of the season?
It sounds simple but improvement, always. We always want to improve. I think we've made some steps and we need to carry on with that. Attack better, defend better, create more chances, concede less chances. Sounds simple but that's what we need to.
．Players returning from international duty- how are they feeling?
They're feeling good. They're professional, they're experienced. They can deal with the demands of international football and Premier League football. We've recovered well, they've recovered well. It's a testament to their professionalism and also the staff here and how they help them do that. Everyone is keen, everyone is looking forward to seeing each other and there's nice spirit in the team and a nice spirit in the group. We're all looking forward to the weekend and what's ahead.
．Final 11 games of the season, is sixth place a minimum?
For us, we have to think or goal is on the next match and to win the game. We're Chelsea and we want to win. Regardless of the league position in 11 games time we have to focus on the next game and try to win. We want to try and beat Aston Villa, then we play Liverpool, we try to win that then we play Wolves and try to win that and the consequences of that are what they are. We just need to play to win.
．Have you spoken to Anthony Barry and tried to persuade him to stay?
Of course I've spoken to Anthony. I'd like the conversation to be private. He's someone I respect a lot, he's given everything for Chelsea. He's been a fine member of staff, he's a great guy. I also understand human beings have lives, they have families, they have aspirations, it's about respecting that I think.
．Potential of a semi-final against Bayern Munich, would the club prefer it's after that?
Again, it's club to club. It's not for me but that's something I'm pretty sure is in the conversation.
．Financial results were announced earlier this week, have you had a conversation with the owners about whether that impacts summer business?
No, honestly not at the moment. That's a conversation we'll have in the future but I'll leave the financial position of the club to the club and I get on with my job, which is the head coach, and try to help the team.
．You're not concerned about it?
I've heard nothing to be concerned about.
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