Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has made an admission on the sacking of Thomas Tuchel amid the recent arrival of Graham Potter.
Tuchel and the Blues parted company last Wednesday, the morning after they lost 1-0 to Dinamo Zagreb on the first Champions League matchday of the season.
The German has now departed after just over 19 months as boss, having won the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea soon welcomed the arrival of Potter as their new man to lead the side, joining from Brighton after an impressive spell on the south coast.
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The sacking of Tuchel came as a surprise to many, despite the club’s poor start to the season so far.
Chalobah was given his first start for the club under the German, making his professional debut for Chelsea in the Super Cup final last August.
The 23-year-old has now spoken about the departure of the head coach, which is something that he didn’t expect.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "It was quite surprising really – I woke up to the message.
"It wasn't expected but things like this happen. For us as players, we've got to focus on the present and we need to make sure our performances are stepped up now.
"He (Tuchel) gave me the platform last season to go and express myself and try to get into the team.
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"I remember my debut for the club was the Villarreal game, there was a lot of pressure after he gave me that opportunity but I think I took it with both hands and enjoyed the moment.
"It was my boyhood dream to play for this club and to get the opportunity and win the trophy was unbelievable. That was the opportunity I'd been waiting for.
“Having been on loan three years prior, coming back I was waiting for the opportunity because I knew I was ready. And I took it well."
Potter’s first game in charge as Chelsea boss will be against FC Salzburg in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Having lost their opening match in the competition this season, the Blues will be keen to get back to winning ways.
It will be their first match since last Tuesday, with their west London derby against Fulham at the weekend being postponed following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Their home clash against Liverpool this coming Sunday has also been announced as postponed.
Chelsea have won just three of their first seven games of the season during the campaign so far, and will return to Stamford Bridge under the lights on Wednesday.
Topics: Chelsea, Trevoh Chalobah, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter
Robert Calcutt