Graham Potter is barely one week into his Chelsea tenure and after one match already faces the prospect of parting ways with his players. The vast bulk of his squad will be heading around the globe to take part in international duty, the Blues' new head coach looks to research and prepared ahead of a month where Chelsea are set to play in games.
While there were some improved aspects to Chelsea's draw with Red Bull Zagreb in the Champions League, the 90 minutes will have served as informative to Potter, to what he needs to work on to implement his philosophy. The result will have been disappointing, particularly the manner of the goal the west London side conceded, but it will be an important launching pad moving forwards.
While the postponement of Chelsea's Premier League match against Liverpool allows for greater preparation time, it is a shame players will have to part from their new coaches so quickly. As few as five first team members may be left at Cobham to continue to increase their familiarity with the new set-up in Marcus Bettinelli, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Trevoh Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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While it will be difficult to work on any tactics with so few numbers, the time could prove key for Kepa, who has started Chelsea's last two matches while Edouard Mendy struggles with a patella issue. Before his departure, Thomas Tuchel talked about the Spaniard deserving to play amid a backdrop of some difficult moments for Mendy.
Both goalkeepers have some quality, and Kepa being around new coaching staff, including a new goalkeeping coach in Ben Roberts, will only act to better prepare him for what Potter wants and to form bonds with people new to the club. Despite few training sessions, it's clear Kepa has already felt the influence of his new head coach.
"He is very positive in his mind and he tries to give us this positivity," Kepa said following the clash with Salzburg. "Obviously we changed a couple of things in the line-up and structure so we have to keep adjusting things, keep watching and understanding how we play, and from that point, we go forward.
"We want to have a good presence on the pitch, take the ball and attack as much as we can, and when we lose the ball try to recover as soon as possible. It’s been two or three training sessions with the new manager so it’s just the beginning but it’s been a positive beginning and a good point to start."
The 27-year-old certainly has the impression that a fresh start could hand him an opportunity.
Kepa added: "Last season when I played I felt really well but it was just 15 games or something like this,’ he continued. ‘It’s not a big amount so now when I have the opportunity, I try to do my best and to help the team like I do in the last games.
"I’m happy with my performances and happy again to enjoy the Champions League games on the pitch so it’s a fresh start and I’m happy and I will take it."
While the next 10 days or so may appear to hand Kepa an advantage of his teammate, the delay also does not allow the Spaniard to build up a head of steam. Having to wait until October for another match, gives Mendy the opportunity to build his fitness and compete for a spot.
Mendy's issue appears to be a longstanding issue and Potter acknowledged that the Senegal international needed time but didn't think long would be required. The former Rennes glovesman has been called up to participate in Senegal's camp for games against Bolivia and Iran, albeit along with three other goalkeepers. That may help in that there will be no need to rush Mendy back to the pitch and he can still build his fitness.
Come Crystal Palace, Potter will have a big decision to make. Mendy's start to the season was not convincing but he may take hope in that, despite a catalogue of errors in the build-up to Salzburg's goal, Kepa perhaps could have done better with Noah Okafor's strike. Both players will be convinced of their credentials and Potter has not shied away from making big decisions on goalkeepers in the past.
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