sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Team news, Nkunku, Ronaldo, Goalkeepers: What Graham Potter said ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash vs AC Milan

Team news, Nkunku, Ronaldo, Goalkeepers: What Graham Potter said ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash vs AC Milan

Graham Potter spoke ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash vs AC Milan.

Graham Potter addressed the media ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash with AC Milan on Wednesday night. 

Chelsea are winless in Group E after the opening two games, drawing and losing on one occasion, which sees them sit bottom. 

A win is essential for the Blues if they want to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages. 

Potter knows Chelsea are up against it but has full faith and confidence in his squad that they can turn their form around to finish in the top two. 

READ MORE: Christopher Nkunku delivers verdict after agreeing Chelsea pre-contract amid ‘secret summer medical’

Here's what the Chelsea head coach had to say on Tuesday afternoon in his pre-match press conference:

Team news

"Edou has been training with the team the last few days so he will be in the squad which is good news for us because we need as much competition for places.

"Jorgi felt some discomfort against Crystal Palace but has trained today. We'll see how he reacts to that. Kai had a slight feeling after Palace but trained today."

"Apart from that, all OK.

"NG is training more and more, not fully, but getting closer. That's really positive."

Playing in Champions League

"There is a difference. I've only had two games, that's how strange it is with the timing. I enjoyed it, as I'd expect. It's a real challenge if you drop your level. Sometimes you can get away with it, but the very best teams can punish you."

Owners' ambitions

"The guys are ambitious. They want to develop the club and team. My job as head coach is to develop the players here, then work with the club to align decisions with the club when the transfer window opens."

Goalkeeper situation between Kepa and Edouard Mendy

"If you look at what we have over the next six weeks, it's an incredible schedule. I'm in no rush to label anyone no.1 or no.2. I want to help Kepa to enjoy football, and help Eddie get fit and ready to play.

"In an ideal world, you let football decide."

AC Milan clash

"That's what we will try for (three points). We are playing against a top opponent so will have to play well.

"We are playing against a top team, as were Salzburg, with how competitive they were. Every game is different. We are looking forward to the game. It's a massive and exciting challenge. We have to be really, really good to get a result."

AC Milan, Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao

"I've been really impressed. Clear idea on how they want to attack and defend. Giroud is someone Chelsea know very well, fantastic player. Plays in a really good way, uses quality and strengths. Important player.

"I'm looking forward to it. Top team, we have to be really good to get the result we want."

On Leao: "I've been really impressed with him whenever I've watched the games. He contributes to how they attack and score."

Christopher Nkunku and Cristiano Ronaldo links

On Nkunku: "I don't speak about players that aren't Chelsea players."

On Ronaldo: "We can spend all day with asking these questions, but I'm not going to speak about anyone else. Whilst they aren't our players, I don't speak about them."

Kalidou Koulibaly

"I've been impressed with him. He understands his situation that he has to wait to play. His response has been fantastic, hard-working, trained very well. It's not the perfect situation, but with his character he will play an important role."

N'Golo Kante fitness and contract situation

"My focus is to help him rehabilitate in a good way so he is available for us. When he is on the pitch, he is a huge asset. The other stuff (contract) is between the club and him. There's not many players in world football like NG.

"It's a case of building him up. We have to be careful how we build his minutes up. We have to be patience. We are under control with that, I think.

"It's hard to replace someone like NG, he's world class. Any team who loses him will suffer. It's up to the other players to step up and find solutions. The options we have got, not direct replacements, we have to find the right one."

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

"It's just to acknowledge it (traumatic summer incident). We are here to support and do all we can. The best thing for him is to play football, put that incident behind him and be in a place where he is comfortable and happy."

Conor Gallagher

"He has (made a case to start). He had a fantastic impact. Top person, fighting to play which is great for me."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Graham Potter, Chelsea, AC Milan, Champions League, Football

Choose your content: