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Football London
Football London
Sport
Adam Newson

Every word Graham Potter said on Leicester, Chelsea future, James, Silva, Kante, Mount, Mudryk

What's the latest team news?

"Reece [James] has been ill so hasn’t trained today. He won’t make the game tomorrow. Raheem [Sterling] has had a little feeling in his hamstring, tightness if anything, so he's looking doubtful. [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang has a slight problem with his back and he's looking likely he will miss the game."

Could we see N'Golo Kante back in the squad for this one?

"He won’t be – still needs more time to build up. We aiming maybe for Everton. Unfortunately, not for tomorrow."

READ MORE: Chelsea undroppable returns with a bang to hand Graham Potter perfect Champions League tonic

You seem to have settled on a system and group of players, how do you then keep those who aren't involved happy?

"Well, you just have to do the maths. Only 11 can play and we've got more than eleven, so inevitably, they're not going to be happy. There is not point in denying that. That isn't to say they've not been really professional and supportive of the team. There are always injuries and things that happen.

"You look at the situation with Marc Cucurella, for example. He wasn't in the squad but came in against Dortmund and played a really good game and contributed to us winning. The players know that they have to be ready. That is how football works. They have to be ready, keep fighting, and make sure when the chance comes they are ready to play."

When N'Golo is fit to play, and Thiago Silva, will they get back in the side or have to wait?

"The most important thing for those two is to get them back injury free. Then the more good players we have the better. Then it is football deciding in terms of performances and results. That is where we're at. We've had two good results but things change and opportunities arise. We just have to keep working like that."

Raheem is a doubt, is that good news for Mykhailo Mudryk?

"He certainly comes into the equation. He is a player we believe in a lot and is adapting to the new situation. When he arrived, he was at the start of a pre-season campaign really. So to come in and hit the Premier League running is not easy to do. But day by day, and week by week, he is getting stronger. He will be in the squad tomorrow and there is a chance he can play."

How do you keep Mason Mount happy?

"He’s the same as everybody else; he wants to play. At the moment, he is suffering with a slight injury so he probably needs little bit more time until he is available properly. He is happy around the place and wants to help the team. That is normal with Mason, no change in that. He wants to help and the team to win. He wants to be injury free and play football."

What did the chairman, Todd Boehly, say to you after Tuesday’s win? Can you give us some insight into what he said?

"No, not really. He is the chairman and I’ve been doing this job [coaching] for 12 years and have spoken to the chairman pretty much every week. It’s strange you keep asking me whether I speak to the chairman or not."

Is the squad more geared for a back three now, and is that going to be a consistent approach?

"Even in the two games we've had different back threes. Benoit [Badiashile] played against Leeds and Marc came in against Dortmund. We've played that at times this season. Thiago getting injured against Tottenham mean we had to adjust things. So at the moment, I think it's suiting us well and working.

"As much as everyone is rightly focusing on the other end because we've not scored as many goals as we'd like, defensively we're up there as one of the best in the Premier League. That is something to be positive about. But clearly, we need to get the other bit right because you need to be balanced and at the moment we've not done both sides of the game as well as we'd like.

"The attacking side is a little bit more difficult to do than the defending side, but consistency always helps."

Are you looking for goals to bring more confidence?

"Goals and wins bring confidence, that is obvious. Then it's how we get them. I'm not going to complain however they come because the results have been difficult to deal with. The best way is to play well, attack well, do the things you want to do and they result in you creating chances, scoring goals, and winning. That's the best thing. It takes a bit of time but in the meantime, if we get lucky, I'm happy with that as well."

How important is Mateo Kovacic to your side and squad?

"He's been the captain in the last two games, which tells you how influential he is. He's a fantastic guy, I really like him. He is determined, has character, courage, and is prepared to take the ball in tight situations. What he's achieved in his career with his national team and here at Chelsea, he is an important player for us."

Your away form isn't great. Is tomorrow's game a big opportunity for you?

"We have to play well. I think Leicester's results are worse than their performances. They've been a bit unfortunate as well I think. They are suffering from not the best of starts, I'm sure Brendan [Rodgers] will agree with that. But they've rallied as well and still have some really good players. I have huge respect for what Brendan has done there and he is a top coach and top person. It'll be a tough game."

Has the weight been lifted off your shoulders a bit after two wins?

"Yes, in some ways. It’s not something I get too bogged down with. It’s always nicer to win, everything feels a bit better, it feels like you have taken a step forward. But I am not getting carried away. It is just two wins. I have to focus on Leicester. The boys have been in a good place, a good spirit. They have stuck together through a bad time which is good. There is a lot to say about that but we have to start again against Leicester."

How important was the win over Dortmund for your bond with supporters?

"I've said before the supporters have been really fair. They want the team to do well and results-wise we haven’t done that well. So you understand the criticism and understand it’s hard to get behind something when the results aren’t great. So it’s our job to produce games and results and I think the performance was a positive one. I think they’ve appreciated that and when that is the case, they get behind the team. I have nothing to say about how we’ve been treated by supporters. They’ve been fantastic."

Marc Cucurella appears to have been carefully managed over the past few months?

"I wouldn't say the past few months. It got tricky in terms of him and the impact on the team, really. At the same time, I wanted to shield him and wait for the right time to put him in because I know how good he is. I know his quality so I thought the game in the Champions League, especially with Benoit [Badiashile] going away was a good opportunity for him to show his quality. I am delighted for him that he did."

Romelu Lukaku, there's been talk of another loan spell for him at Inter Milan next season?

"Well, that's nothing for me to think about at the moment. He is there and he is playing. I think those discussions and conversations will be made at the end of the season."

How concerned are you about Mason Mount's contract? Have you spoken to him or left to the club?

"Ultimately it is between the club and Mason. I have spoken to him numerous times about his situation, football and life generally. My feelings for Mason are clear. He is a fantastic person firstly but sometimes these things happen. They are just complicated and it is best that I speak little about it, let them get on with it in deciding what is right for both parties."

Have you told him you want him to stay and is part of your plans?

"Yes, but I am not naive. I know it is an important time for him and an important contract. These things have to be right for him and his family. It’s important he makes a decision on that basis."

What do you say to the players at half time of matches?

"It depends on how the game is going, whether they need a kick up the backside but essentially it is to try to help them. We work out what we have done well in the game and what we need to improve. If we can improve, how we can improve and try and convince them if they do that they can win the game I think that's the summary."

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