You've unusually had a 23-day wait for a league match in the middle of a season. Has that been good or bad?
Probably a bit of both if I'm honest. Used the time to get to know people in an environment without games but at the same time we're itching to go, itching to play. That's really where you find out about everything and you learn a lot and make an impression. Couldn't really control anything in terms of how things have panned out with the cancellations. International break is what it is, then we just have to make the most of it.
Is a Graham Potter Chelsea side going to look fundamentally different to a Thomas Tuchel one?
I think everybody has got a slightly different idea of football and don't get too wound up about that. It's more a choice of what we all make and the job then is to make our choices work. Huge respect for Thomas and his teams. I'm not in the business of comparing myself to him or anyone else. I'm just going to try and put a team out on the pitch that is recognisable, something the supporters are proud of, and ultimately a winning football team.
Availability, N'Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy have both trained, are they both available?
No they're not. They're absolutely fine in terms of coming through their rehab stages. NG has just been on the grass with the team but not full training,. Eddie is a bit further on but hasn't had enough to be involved at the weekend really. Maybe next week for him
A bit of illness for Marc Cucurella and Carney, apart from that everybody is fit.
READ MORE: Graham Potter handed triple Chelsea blow as N'Golo Kante ruled out of Crystal Palace clash
Irony of a former Brighton manager's first game being at Crystal Palace, what reception are you expecting?
I'm sure it will be a nice one. I like the atmosphere there, it's a proper football stadium, the supporters get behind the team and make it difficult for the away side whoever it is. We're looking forward to that challenge, but the boys are ready and itching to play. Can't wait.
How difficult is it to pick a team with so few players with you during the break?
It's part of the job, part of the challenge. We can do some thinking while they're away, do some analysis and watch games. You've got to start somewhere, we've a lot of games to come. It's been well documented the amount of games we have which is great because we can see the players, lots of competition, everybody is ready. It's never easy picking a team because we've got good players and good options but we can deal with that.
Patrick Vieira admires you, what do you think of the job he has done?
He's done a fantastic job. I think he has built on the foundations that Roy laid in terms of a defensive structure. Added some really good attacking players, not just in the attacking positions, the centre-backs have made a difference to them in terms of how they defend and build attacks. Always difficult to play against, well-organised, good spirit, it epitomises him as a player as well.
Yet to beat Palace in seven meetings, good chance tomorrow?
I've missed those stats bringing a bit of negativity. It just shows how the Premier League is and how tough it is. We've had some tough games against Palace where we could have won and the margins are small but that's how it is. That's history. We're looking forward to the game on Saturday and changing that record.
Antonio Conte said the fixture schedule is crazy, you've hinted your more excited?
I can understand where he's coming from but from my perspective I see it as a positive but I think it's a chance for us to play. We've not played for a while. We've got a good group, a big group that are all itching to play, good competition in the squad. Yeah, bring it on.
Are you looking forward to working with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?
Yeah, I'm looking forward to working with him, I've enjoyed working with him in the brief time we've worked together. He's a good guy, focused, wants to do well, wants to play, wants to score.
Idea of redemption coming back to the Premier League?
I'm not sure. You'd have to speak to him about that. He's got nothing to prove to me. His career is his career, I've got a huge respect for that. My job is to help him enjoy his football, help him be part of what we're trying to do here. He's acted as a top professional, top person.
Signed Billy Gilmour and Levi Colwill, and have given young players an opportunity at Chelsea. Can youngsters at Chelsea expect an opportunity?
I don't know about expect. All young players have to hope they get an opportunity, that's normal. They put themselves in there in training and games and if they earn the right to play, I think that's fair. At a club like ours the competition for places is huge so everyone has to fight no matter how old they are. If the quality is there, age is no barrier.
How long to get players on your wavelength?
I don't want to be that guy asking for time but the coaching process, that type of development it helps if you have time. I understand we're in a world where there isn't a lot of patience either. I've never been one of those guys that ask for time. All I can do is try my best, try to improve and whatever people think on the outside is out of my control.
Not much time on training ground with so many games?
It's a challenge. We'd all like an ideal world but this is not an ideal world and I'm certainly not going to complain about that. It's what I have to deal with and what we have to work with. We have to be smart with how we work, smart with how we use our time. In a world with lots of challenges, I don't think they want to hear me complaining about less time on the pitch.
Any surprises so far?
No, I don't think surprised. I've been really positively happy with how everyone has welcomed me, the feeling I've got at Cobham, the training ground, the players have been amazing, very open, very honest, there's a really good group here with good experienced players and nice young ones who are also ambitious. Good group, good mix, it's just been really surreal because we haven't had games and went into an international break. Looking forward to getting going tomorrow.
Biggest challenge ahead?
We've got six weeks, 13 matches and quickly it's understanding all the players and using them in the right way. Winning football matches in the toughest league in the world with Champions League as well. That's going to be the challenge in the short term that I'm thinking about.
A lot of change, is that a good thing? Aims for a season at Chelsea are always clear, do you see those aims of getting into the too four and making a dent into the Champions League as vital given the circumstances?
Change is good and it's bad and it's challenging. It's how you deal with it, how you work with it. It's well documented what has happened with ownership, the coach, and people, it's part of life sometimes and it's how we manage it.
The challenge, a bit more than short term challenge, it's how you align the resources you have, how you align the football idea with everything you've got and make it successful. The past, or resource or history doesn't guarantee you anything in this league. There are lots of clubs that have spent lots of money and haven't achieved things that they maybe wanted. It's about getting everything lined up and strategy clear.
Vital sounds a bit life or death, or dramatic, it is what it is. I can't control people's perception of what we do or not, rather than worry about what we're going to do in May or June, I'm just focused on the next match and the next training session, trying to improve the team.
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