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Koulibaly, Cucurella, Loftus-Cheek: What Graham Potter said ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash vs RB Salzburg

Koulibaly, Cucurella, Loftus-Cheek: What Graham Potter said ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash vs RB Salzburg

Graham Potter addressed the media ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash with RB Salzburg on Tuesday night.

Graham Potter addressed the media ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash with RB Salzburg on Tuesday night.

Chelsea are in a commanding position in Group E following a slow start which saw them go winless in their opening two Champions League matches.

Potter’s arrival saw them clinch vital back-to-back wins against AC Milan at Stamford Bridge and the San Siro to propel them to the top of the group.

Chelsea travel to Austria having drawn to Salzburg last month, Potter’s first game in charge, and will be looking to clinch qualification into the knockouts.

A win will seal progression, while a draw could be enough on Tuesday night should AC Milan’s fixture against Dinamo Zagreb end all square. Defeat in Austria for Chelsea and Group E will be blown wide open and all to play for should Milan claim victory over Zagreb.

READ MORE: Confirmed 21-man travelling Chelsea squad for Champions League clash vs RB Salzburg

Chelsea are still unbeaten under Potter - winning five, drawing three - and they will be keen to extend that to nine games on Tuesday evening at the Red Bull Arena.

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

Champions League experience so far

"I've found it very challenging, very exciting, top quality games. We've had three top quality matches. We expect another tough game tomorrow night and are looking forward to it."

Kalidou Koulibaly fitness

"It's not too serious but this game was too soon for him. We're hoping to get him on the grass Wednesday or Thursday."

Marc Cucurella fitness

"He has had a bit of illness but he is now a lot better. The reason for coming off against Manchester United was purely tactical."

Preview RB Salzburg, Champions League clash and their model

"We haven't finished, we haven't got the points. We need to get more and we will try our best tomorrow."

"They've done it really, really well. A fantastic success, clear identity.

"Salzburg are a really good side, very strong, especially here (at home). We expect a really tough match. We have to fight, match their intensity and play our football. It's going to be an exciting game."

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

"He's really impressed on and off the pitch. Humble, wants to learn and improve. The way he trains really, really good when he hasn't played. His quality is there, great physicality.

"He's putting himself into a situation of players who Gareth (Southgate) will look at (for England for the World Cup).”

Win vs RB Salzburg allowing Chelsea to rest players for Dinamo Zagreb next week

"It would be nice to win and we know the consequences. Our thoughts are to win the match. We have to take the challenge. We're not finished, we haven't got enough points (yet to progress into knockout stages). That's the test.”

Raheem Sterling needing to do more

"I think it's more a team thing. We have to try to do better as a team, improve our attacking play as a team, and then individuals can do better.

"I always want to look at how the team functions and there is a lot of improvement possible in that area and that will help Raheem."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Chelsea, Graham Potter, Red Bull Salzburg, Champions League