Graham Potter believes that his team can score the goals required to be successful, despite Chelsea's struggles to find the net this season. The Blues fell to a 1-0 defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League despite having he superior chances against their German opposition, and have only managed 23 goals in 22 Premier League matches this term.
Much has been made of Chelsea not making using of a natural striker, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not making squads following the end of the transfer window and Kai Havertz proving a pretty permanent fixture leading the line. Potter has suggested that Aubameyang has every opportunity to make the side, as he continues to train well but it has yet to come to fruition.
The Blues boss acknowledges that scrutiny will come given Chelsea have spent £600million since the summer, but believes that acquiring a centre-forward is a simplistic view to take. Potter once again highlighted the signing of Romelu Lukaku as proof that it is not always so simple.
READ MORE: Why Marc Cucurella has struggled at Chelsea and the Graham Potter plan for 'fantastic character'
"Yeah I think the goals are there in this team but I think we have to as a team function better to attack, as we did in midweek," Potter said. "You hear that Chelsea have a problem scoring goals and they spent close to £100million on a No.9 and it’s meant to fix the problem and as far as I can see it didn’t fix the problem.
"But of course if you are not scoring. Football is quite low resolution in terms of its analysis. If we are not scoring goals, we need a centre forward. Man City have been asked to sign a centre forward for the last five years, and they have probably been the best team in the Premier League in the last five years. You are always going to get that, that is just football. It’s not like it is completely wrong.
"There is obviously a point to it. But I always think that the best way is to try and get the team to function well and better, and then I think there are players that can score. But the notion that you can just go into a store and buy a nine that fits into your profile of investment, because it is not just transfer fees, it is salaries as well, all these things, it is not quite straightforward.”
Potter knows his side need to be more ruthless if they have to advance higher in the Premier League table however. While the team is still finding his way as a cohesive unit, a clinical edge is something he wants to see from all of his players.
"Joao hit the bar the other night with a finish that he would normally probably score with, had one kicked off the line. If we had got a positive result in Dortmund, would we be having the same level of conversation, I don’t know.
"The team is just coming together, Joao has played two and a half games for us, Enzo three, Mudryk three. The hardest part of the games to master, to be good at, is the attacking bit. Because teams are coming with a back five or a deep block and to break them down, and they are physical and competent defensively, so that bit is the bit that does take a bit of time.
"Could all the players be more ruthless, more clinical? Yeah absolutely, that’s right. But it is also the process as well, and I don’t like to use the word process because you will get pelters if you say that."
Despite not reaching the peaks of his previous two seasons, Mason Mount remains one of Chelsea's chief contributors with three goals and six assists this term. Potter is hopeful that the Cobham product extends his contract, but has started the 24-year-old on the bench for the club's previous two matches.
The former Brighton and Swansea boss believes that Mount can be involved and make an impact against Southampton, a team he has performed well against in the past. The Portsmouth-born ace has only scored more times against Norwich than the Saints and Potter complimented the midfielder's reaction to being among the substitutes.
The 47-year-old coach said: "I didn't think about it as much but now I know he's a Portsmouth boy then from my time at Southampton, there is no love lost between those two. Mason will be desperate to play, he will be ready and his quality is undoubted. We know that. There is a chance he can be involved absolutely.
"He has reacted really well, as I would expect. He is a fantastic lad, he is great in the dressing room. He wants to support the team and help his teammates, he is ready to play. You saw that with how he came on against West Ham and Dortmund and had an impact. No problems with Mason."
READ NEXT:
Graham Potter welcomes back injured Chelsea star as difficult Kalidou Koulibaly decision is made
Every word Graham Potter said on Andrey Santos, Mount contract, VAR and Chelsea injuries
Graham Potter reveals stance on Mason Mount contract as Chelsea handed double injury boost
Ben Chilwell delivers brutal verdict on new Chelsea signings after Borussia Dortmund defeat
Graham Potter delivers Andrey Santos update as Chelsea suffer second work permit setback
