A Friday night game is a rare thing and Chelsea's match against Fulham brought some excitement into the air. Not only was a local derby on the cards but so was the prospect of seeing two Chelsea debutants in Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke, in addition to the first start for Mykhailo Mudryk who had left fans salivating against Liverpool.
There was a buzz around Stamford Bridge, contributed to by a lively Fulham support but perhaps the player who found most adoration was Reece James. Both the Matthew Harding and Shed End supporters raised banners in tribute to the Cobham product, who was making his return from injury.
The match perhaps did not live up to the hype, though there was tension as both sides pressed for a goal and the anxiety on the sidelines saw some handbags between the dugouts throughout the 90 minutes. Neither side could break through however, as Chelsea struggled to bring fluency despite some impressive individual outings.
READ MORE: Every word Graham Potter said on Aubameyang, Chelsea transfers, Mudryk issue and Fernandez
Here's what football.london learned from the Friday night clash
No forward no problem for Graham Potter
When posed with the fact that Chelsea had not signed much in the way of goals in their very active and expensive transfer window ahead of the game, Potter was fairly nonplussed. The Blues coach was unconcerned with individuals and was more focussed on how the team functions as has become a common feature of his responses.
The Blues boss told the gathered press: "We have tried to address it in terms of helping the team attack better. You can zoom into one position but in the last four or five years teams have won the Premier League without a recognised centre-forward. I understand the point but it is better for the team to attack better, to play better, to create more chances, to be more dangerous in attack and that will solve that problem."
Little did anyone know that those words would take on greater meaning when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was removed from Chelsea's Champions League squad to ensure Chelsea could register the three new players they are permitted to. David Datro Fofana also missed out on selection but was on the bench to face Fulham whereas Aubameyang was missing from the matchday squad too.
Potter has made his stance clear on Aubameyang, whose contract runs until the end of 2024, and having such swathes of talent in the squad now means difficult decisions must be made. However, crucial first half misses from Kai Havertz did not serve to vindicate Potter's decision as much as he would have hoped, though Fofana showed some moments of promise.
Nevertheless, Chelsea managing just three goals in their last seven matches exhibits a problem that must be solved quickly. That the Blues have managed 22 goals in their 21 Premier League matches doesn't necessarily provide much confidence it will be.
Hakim Ziyech still has a role
Only three days after being left frustrated late into the Parisian night, Hakim Ziyech found himself starting for Chelsea. He has been one of the Blues more impressive players since the turn of the year, but the Moroccan, much like the summer, hoped for a move away from the club in January despite having a contract until 2025.
Potter noted his faith in Ziyech despite this. He said: "He's played the last couple of games and has done well. I have had a conversation with him and I think he is old enough to understand. Sometimes these things happen in football and he is committed to the team. It is right for Hakim to play and help the team."
Ziyech produced an industrious performance that showed he was committed to Chelsea's cause even if he was ultimately disappointed to not depart the club just days before. His pass to send Kai Havertz through in the first half was perhaps one of the highest quality moments of the game and he certainly appears to have Potter's trust.
Graham Potter's thoughts on the team and transfers
The 47-year-old has wasted little time introducing his new signings even when they've been short on time with the squad. Joao Felix had just one training session under his belt when he started in Chelsea's last game against Fulham and Enzo Fernandez had joined one session before this one. It speaks of their quality given the short period of time they've had to learn what Potter wants but also perhaps exposes Potter's initial unhappiness with his team.
Mykhailo Mudryk made a start at Stamford Bridge having made a cameo against Liverpool. The Chelsea coach admitted that Mudryk 'is still in a phase where we need to build up his minutes, so we need to be careful with that. The two weeks has helped us'.
Potter later revealed that Mudryk had suffered with a heavy cold which perhaps re-emphasises the value Chelsea's head coach places on the former Shakhtar Donetsk star. His performance was unable to match it on this occasion as he was replaced at half time.
The Blues boss has similar enthusiasm for £106.7million signing Fernandez. "As soon as the paperwork came through and we knew he could, it was clear," said Potter. "He is an impressive young man, a great character and personality."
Perhaps the decision was partially dictated by injuries to N'Golo Kante, Denis Zakaria and Mateo Kovacic, but with no Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the squad, Potter committed to a 90-minute outing for the Argentina international. The 22-year-old was impressive at the base of Chelsea's midfield, and Potter was not short of compliments for Fernandez following the game. He certainly looks a positive first step in solving Chelsea's midfield transition.
Chelsea don't lose with Reece James
It was not a vintage Reece James outing as he spent just shy of an hour on the pitch at Stamford Bridge. The adoration of supporters was quick to see upon the defender's return and almost as speedy was the additional width James provides on Chelsea's right.
Few would doubt James' importance to Chelsea, and under Potter that has been stark. The former Brighton coach has never tasted defeat when starting the wingback and while a draw is not an ideal result, Potter may feel his side can take a step in the right direction as his stars return from injury. James may be Chelsea's best player and his presence matters but Potter will also be relieved to see the return of Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling to the pitch on Friday night.
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