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What Jorginho said ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash vs FC Salzburg

What Jorginho said ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash vs FC Salzburg

Jorginho addressed the media ahead of Chelsea's Champions League opener with FC Salzburg on Wednesday night.

Jorginho addressed the media ahead of Chelsea's Champions League opener with FC Salzburg on Wednesday night. 

It was a dismal start to their Group E campaign last week after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

Mislav Orsic’s goal on the break in the 13th minute was enough to hand Chelsea a shock defeat to send them bottom of the group after matchday one. 

It was an evening for the players to reflect on their own performances, who were given a strong message by Thomas Tuchel, who is now their former boss.

Chelsea manager Graham Potter during a training session at Cobham Training Centre. (Alamy)
Chelsea manager Graham Potter during a training session at Cobham Training Centre. (Alamy)

The defeat in Croatia turned out to be his last in charge of Chelsea after 19 months in the hot-seat. He was sacked by the club’s owners the following morning and quickly replaced by Graham Potter, who arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion

Jorginho and co have had several days to work with Potter at their Cobham training base, to learn and adapt to his methods and playing style. 

They will now play their first game under the 47-year-old’s tutelage in west London on Wednesday night in the Champions League. 

Here’s what the Chelsea star had to say ahead of the game in his pre-match press conference. 

On last few days

A lot has happened. We are adapting to the new coach. We're very excited to work with him & his staff. It's been good the first few days. Of course, we had a great time with Thomas. Appreciate everything he did for us, the club, the fans. Now we have a new challenge."

On Thomas Tuchel sacking

"It was a surprise for everyone. What has been said between the players will stay there. Now, we have games coming. Life is quick, we don't have much time to think again and again."

Thomas Tuchel's 'weak mentality' comments:

"It was his feeling in that moment, he said that to us as well. We tried what we could to try and do our best. Unfortunately, it wasn't working anymore. The challenge now is to rebuild that confidence.

"Chelsea are a big club, we have a lot of work to do.

"He (Graham Potter) came with an idea. Life is fast and quick. We need to try and understand what he expects from us, and try to do the best we can. Of course (we feel responsible for Thomas Tuchel's sacking). We are a team, it's not one person. Everyone is responsible."

Next steps

"You need to work a lot. In meetings, seeing what the new manager is bringing, try to understand as quick as possible what he wants. Now, there are a lot of new information. We need to try all of it and help each other."

Graham Potter

"He's a humble coach, but with a really good way to work. He has this challenge, I believe he will do very well because he has good ideas, group of players who are ready to try to do the best we can and listen to what he asks. It's a good combination."

Playing Brighton under Graham Potter

"I could see a team that were very organised tactically, a team who wanted to play football, making so many passes, hurting teams through the line, pressing high. Very positive, offensive mentality. He did very well against us."

FC Salzburg clash

"Very vertical, aggressive and dangerous team. Another challenge, first game under the new manager. It's Champions League, it's never easy. We need to be well prepared."

Helping Graham Potter ease in to life at Chelsea

"He's a good coach and this new challenge is not just for us, him. We try to help everyone, he is well prepared for what's coming. It's a new experience for him. He will like it a lot. It's more about results."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Champions League, Chelsea, Football, Red Bull Salzburg, Jorginho