CHELSEA manager Graham Potter has admitted that it will be challenging keeping his bloated squad of players happy while trying to get results, starting with tomorrow night’s Premier League clash against Fulham.
He also gave an insight into Jorginho’s surprise departure for rivals Arsenal on January transfer deadline day, the same day Chelsea completed the British record signing of Enzo Fernandez for £105m.
Chelsea brought in eight players during the January transfer window, spending around £300m.
“I think challenge is the right word but I’m not complaining about it. It’s exciting and a test for me, of course, and the staff,” Potter said during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Fulham game when asked about how he intended to the deal with the challenge of a big squad of expensive players.
“But it’s an exciting one. We’ve got a lot of really good players and we have to create an environment where there is healthy competition and players can push each other.
“We have to understand that there will be frustration at times because only 11 can play, but that is how it is. We have a lot of important games and we have to improve our results. So it’s about playing, supporting the team, and being ready.”
He insisted that there was no extra pressure on him to get results because of the huge outlay on new players.
“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,” he explained.
“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.”
When asked if World Cup winner Fernandez would play tomorrow night, Potter said: “We’ll see. We’ve got to go through the paperwork and he needs to get clearance and all that.
“I’ve spoken to him. My Spanish isn’t great and his English isn’t great, so we needed a translator, but we’ll get there. He is an impressive young man and I’m really excited to work with him.”
Fulham beat Chelsea the last time the two sides met two weeks ago, and the promoted side are seventh in the table, three spots above the Blues.
“They’ve had a fantastic season and credit to them all there; their staff, Marco, and the players,” Potter said of his next opponents.
“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.
“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.”
Chelsea can add only three of their eight new players to their UEFA Champions League squad, but Potter said he would deal with the problem later.
“We’ve got a bit of time before we make the decision but we’re aware of who we need to speak to,” he noted.
“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.”
On Jorginho joining Chelsea’s rivals Arsenal, Potter said: “For the four months I worked with him, he was fantastic. A great person and when you look at his service to the club, he’s been brilliant with what he achieved.
“Sometimes you have to make a decision as a football club, with his contract situation, and the opportunity to secure something more for his family, it was one of those that was a win, win, win. From my perspective, I wish him well. He’s a top professional and a top person.”
Potter revealed that Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are back in training while Denis Zakaria, Christian Pulisic, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Armando Broja are still out.
