The Chelsea head coach faces the media at Cobham this afternoon ahead of the Blues’ Premier League clash away at Newcastle United
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of Graham Potter’s pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United.
The match is Chelsea’s final game before the World Cup break – and it’s one that comes with huge pressure, given the Blues make the long trip to St James’ Park having won just two of their previous seven matches in all competitions.
A lengthy injury list hasn’t helped Potter, and those expected to be absent against Newcastle are Kepa Arrizabalaga, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, and Carney Chukwuemeka. There is also concern over the fitness of Jorginho, who missed the Carabao Cup defeat to Man City in midweek.
We will get the latest on the Italian midfielder’s availability and all the latest team news when Potter sits down to face the media at the Blues’ training base in Cobham.
Our chief Chelsea correspondent Adam Newson is in position, and live updates will appear below from Potter’s press conference. There will also be plenty more from across the football.london website to enjoy prior to the arrival of the Chelsea head coach following this morning’s training session.
Some comments we’ve got here..
Had a brief conversation, but they both level-headed. They understand and respectful of the decision which isn’t an easy one. That’s life, they accept it.
I am a human being as well and I’ve come from Brighton where everything was organised over a three-year period. I’d had pain. Here, you’re in the washing machine with the games and turnaround so you have to deal with that. You need that time to reflect and it would be stupid of me to not look at that as to how improve.
I think there is more to come from the team we have and the group we have. We’ve had some key players out: Kante, Chilwell, James, Fofana. They are key players and a couple of them are replacing key ones who left in the summer. I think we can do better than we have and that is where my focus is on.
We’ve learnt it changes fairly quickly. We had a good result at Salzburg and then it went wrong at Brighton. But that’s a part of life, you have to suffer sometimes.
Our performance against Arsenal wasn’t good but I thought we played well against Man City. It’s always a process and I’m pretty sure there are going to be lots of things that enter the head as we have time.
I think Eddie has done a fantastic job. He’s improved the players there and have spent some money to reinforce the team. I could speak for half an hour about how good I think Eddie is, I have huge admiration for him. The club is moving forward.
