Graham Potter admitted that he’d in no way been to a Champions League recreation prior to he turned Chelsea manager but soon after Wednesday’s attract with RB Salzburg, there is a hazard his time in the opposition could be quick-lived.
Defeat leaves Chelsea base of Team E with AC Milan up subsequent. For a workforce that received the tournament in the 2020-21 season under Thomas Tuchel, failing to get to the knockout phases would be an almighty comedown. But the recriminations can wait.
For now, Chelsea lovers will be pleased that the staff have responded to their 1- defeat by Dinamo Zagreb with an enhanced effort and hard work and a shift in techniques in Potter’s very first recreation in cost, which could possibly still solve their Achilles heel: changing their prospects.
There are still some supporters who have been left confused by the decision of Chelsea’s new house owners to swap a Champions League-profitable coach for a single whose greatest European energy was reaching the final 32 of the Europa League with Swedish aspect Ostersunds.
Chelsea enthusiast Matty told BBC Sport: “Graham Potter is a quality manager, but we experienced a planet-class a single in Tuchel. Potter has a lot to show, and big shoes to fill.”
As if to underline that position, lovers applauded Tuchel and sang his identify in the 21st minute to exhibit many thanks for the 2021 Champions League gain in Porto – where they defeat Manchester City.
But Potter mentioned he was happy of his players for speedily relocating on to a new manager with new strategies.
“We’re frustrated with just one issue but I imagined the software of the gamers was great,” he reported. “They gave anything and I was extremely happy of how they acted these days.
“It really is not been straightforward for them either. You know, a change of coach and all that arrives with that, but their response has been fantastic. They have acted definitely effectively professional, trustworthy, liable. So from an hard work standpoint, it was unquestionably 100% there.”
Potter points out Sterling purpose
In conditions of getting likelihood, Chelsea even now absence confidence, which may just take time to cure. Substitutes Hakim Ziyech and Armando Broja were being both wasteful as Chelsea searched for a winner late on, and Raheem Sterling could have scored in the to start with fifty percent.
But Potter’s decision to play the England international in an state-of-the-art left wing-back job reaped benefits when he slotted in the opener following the crack for his fourth goal of the season, even if he was caught upfield for Salzburg’s equaliser.
It confirmed that the previous Brighton manager was prepared to choose risks as his team attempted to get their Champions League campaign up and managing in opposition to the Austrian champions, who drew with Milan in their Team E opener.
Requested if participating in Sterling in a wing-back role was risky, Potter stated: “There is that probability but certainly you have to organise around that and you never definitely want Raheem defending his box much too normally and I will not consider he did.
“No matter what you do, you can find generally a moreover and a minus. We have been at property, and we preferred to be on the entrance foot. We wanted to get some attacking strategies in individuals large positions and Raheem was genuinely excellent at attacking the back lines.
“He scored a fantastic goal and I thought he was definitely very good in the game. [Right wing-back] Reece James balances off a minor little bit so we can even now protect in a 4 if we need to. That was our imagining.”
Potter backs gamers to bounce back in Europe
Potter’s methods may possibly yet breathe existence into the gamers, and develop the lengthy-term legacy that the new proprietors are seeking for immediately after the use-and-hearth method under previous owner Roman Abramovich.
Some admirers informed BBC Sport they are also hoping that Potter can make a settled period soon after six months which have seen sanctions, a takeover, a record invest in the transfer market and then replacing the manager.
“I have located a way of accepting a superior turnover of professionals, but I envy extended-expression managers at other clubs,” added Matty. “We will often get at the rear of new administrators, but when new ownership came in, you ponder if they are heading to be the identical.
“I think Potter will do perfectly, he just wants time.”
Just after Saturday’s Premier League sport against Liverpool was postponed and with the intercontinental break looming, Potter’s future match is not until finally 1 Oct when Chelsea facial area a excursion to London rivals Crystal Palace.
But soon after the club’s lousy get started to the season, where they have only received 3 out of eight game titles in all competitions, outcomes must come immediately, especially in Europe’s elite competitiveness.
Potter mentioned: “We cannot lie, it’s not the place we want to be in. It will be a tricky group but there is enough good quality in the crew and the squad to react and we have to glance ahead to those game titles.”
Time expended on the schooling ground over the up coming two months may possibly confirm invaluable.
