Graham Potter addressed the media ahead of Chelsea's Champions League opener with FC Salzburg on Wednesday night.
Chelsea’s first game of their 2022/23 campaign in Group E ended in defeat against Dinamo Zagreb last Tuesday in Croatia.
Mislav Orsic’s goal on the counter-attack in the 13th minute was enough to inflict defeat on the Blues, which proved to be Thomas Tuchel’s final game in charge of Chelsea before he was sacked.
The 49-year-old was replaced by Potter who was quickly snapped up from Brighton & Hove Albion. After their Premier League match against Fulham was postponed, Potter’s first game will come in Europe in front of a home crowd.
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He will be hoping to have an instant impact and it will be vital for the Blues to claim all three points against the Austrian side to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.
Here's what the Chelsea head coach had to say on Tuesday afternoon in his pre-match press conference:
Taking Chelsea job
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"You have to look at the football club here.. tradition, size, quality, competing in the Champions League and top of Premier League. Completely different challenge to what I had (at Brighton).
"I'm very, very excited, really looking forward to getting going."
Playing in Champions League
"This is an amazing evening for us, for all of us, we are super excited. At the same time, we have been preparing a team, getting to know the players. It's a fantastic opportunity.
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"Wherever we start, it's a heck of an introduction. With respect to everything that has happened with this football club, demands, wherever we start is brilliant. We start here (in the Champions League)."
On first few days at Chelsea
"It's been brilliant. The beauty of football, you never know what's around the corner. Had some intense conversations with the owners. Firstly, good, intelligent people. Really exciting project, ideas about how to take club forward. It felt really positive.
"It's been a whirlwind getting to know people, leaving Brighton, learning about the new players. First impressions really good. Looking forward to starting.
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"Life is about going outside your comfort zone, taking responsibility, believing than there is more than what is here now. Everything is a bit unknown, that's the beauty of life."
On Chelsea squad
"Honest, responsible group. Positive around training ground. They want to achieve and do well. Happy with the squad. Full of quality.
"My main job is to help the guys here, to put a team on the pitch that the fans are proud of."
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Day of joining Chelsea and Queen Elizabeth II passing
"It was one of those days, in 20/30/40 years time, it will be an easy for me to answer. Seismic day on all levels. Personal exciting news of being here.
"Without sounding silly, I was the main news. Then sadly, the Queen, who has been in all our lives, passed away. Then you think about your own childhood memories with my mum and dad. Queen's jubilee, Royal Family event/wedding.
"Then you think about how constant she has been. Quickly thoughts are with the family."
Chelsea aims
"The connection between the supporters and the team is the main thing. I would love their support. Everything I've heard so far, I have that. I can promise that I will do my very, very best everyday. I want to see balance in attack/defence. Humble team. "We want to entertain, but we want to win. We want to create our own team, our own identity. We will fight everyday for it."
Team News
"Edou will miss the game, so will NG. Everyone else is fine."
Talking to family and new owners
"My wife has been with me on the journey, it was important to have that conversation. Then my staff. We quickly had to make a decision, intense. I got a nice feeling for the owners on a human level. "Intelligent people, understanding of what they want to achieve, had a plan. We were happy, secure, at a good football club. You have to acknowledge that. The challenge was too big to turn down. This club is an amazing club and challenge."
On mixing senior international stars and youngsters
"I approach it as I approach every job. Treat them with respect, getting to know them. Communicate clearly as possible, build relationships. People have egos, different things... that's the fascinating thing.
"I see myself as a coach, not an English coach. I left here when I was 30, now I'm 47. In those 17 years, I've educated myself, taken on different levels, steps to go forwards. You always need to believe you can be more than you are now."
What success is for Chelsea this season
"All my thoughts are on tomorrow night. We need to compete here. I have respect for the Premier League, Champions League, competitions we are in. We are Chelsea, no guarantees. Resources alone isn't enough.
"It's about connecting with supporters, them recognising the team, working at Cobham. Success is to see improvement and be competing to win."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Chelsea, Graham Potter, Champions League, Red Bull Salzburg