Chelsea press conference LIVE: Graham Potter on Newcastle, World Cup, Silva, Jorginho, Endrick
The Chelsea manager will speak to the media at Cobham this afternoon before of the Blues’ Premier League match at Newcastle United.
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of Chelsea’s pre-match news conference versus Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s final game before the World Cup break comes with a lot of pressure, given that the Blues travel to St James’ Park having won just two of their previous seven matches in all competitions.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, and Carney Chukwuemeka are among those expected to miss the game against Newcastle.
There is also concern over the fitness of Jorginho, who missed the Carabao Cup defeat to Man City in midweek.
Our top Chelsea journalist, Adam Newson, is on the scene, and live updates from Potter’s news conference will follow below. There will also be much more from throughout the football.london website to enjoy before the Chelsea head coach arrives following this morning’s training session.
Full transcript
Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea process, Boehly meeting, James, Jorginho, Gallagher
That’s all from Potter
We’ll have a full transcript from the Chelsea head coach.
Speak to the owners during the break?
Yeah, I’m pretty sure we will. We have a regular dialogue anyway. Sometimes you need to reflect, think and analyse. Absolutely, we need to think about what’s happened and what we can do to improve
Team news?
Jorgi trained today, so providing there’s no reaction, he should be in the squad
Chalobah and Loftus-Cheek’s World Cup disappointment?
Had a brief conversation, but they both level-headed. They understand and respectful of the decision which isn’t an easy one. That’s life, they accept it.
Personally benefit from the break?
I am a human being as well and I’ve come from Brighton where everything was organised over a three-year period. I’d had pain. Here, you’re in the washing machine with the games and turnaround so you have to deal with that. You need that time to reflect and it would be stupid of me to not look at that as to how improve.
Newcastle stronger now?
They’ve got results and got results deservedly. That builds confidence and momentum.
Need players in January?
I think there is more to come from the team we have and the group we have. We’ve had some key players out: Kante, Chilwell, James, Fofana. They are key players and a couple of them are replacing key ones who left in the summer. I think we can do better than we have and that is where my focus is on.
What have you learned so far?
We’ve learnt it changes fairly quickly. We had a good result at Salzburg and then it went wrong at Brighton. But that’s a part of life, you have to suffer sometimes.
Our performance against Arsenal wasn’t good but I thought we played well against Man City. It’s always a process and I’m pretty sure there are going to be lots of things that enter the head as we have time.
Newcastle ahead of schedule?
I think Eddie has done a fantastic job. He’s improved the players there and have spent some money to reinforce the team. I could speak for half an hour about how good I think Eddie is, I have huge admiration for him. The club is moving forward.
Important to go into the break with a win?
Everybody will feel better if you can get the three points but we know Newcastle will be fighting for them.
How will you use the break?
We have to use it for what it is: an opportunity. We have a game to play tomorrow and then we have to stake stock. It’s been incredibly intense and have worked a lot. Then we have to come back in a stronger way.
Plans?
We’ll have a few days break because there are only a few players left. So we’ll have a break, come back, bit of training and off to a warm weather camp. There will be a couple of games to prepare for the restart.
Important break?
It’s time to do the rehab without a timescale hanging over them. Then we have them for when we restart and they will be back fit and strong and well.
Dealing with James and Chilwell?
It’s a natural reaction to be disappointed. Reece thought he would be close and did everything he could do give himself a chance. I can understand the decision and I can understand Reece’s frustration and disappointment.
It’s normal [they are a bit down]. The World Cup doesn’t come around very often but they are strong characters and will be fine.
Reaction to Gallagher’s England inclusion?
It’s not something I gave too much thought to. It’s nice for Conor, fantastic for us. He’s going to have a positive experience I think. He’s worked really hard and is a fantastic person.
It’s a fantastic honour for him and everyone is really pleased. It’s a nice story, he’s come through the club and been out on loan.
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In his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, the Newcastle boss noted the striker had been training separately from the group after suffering from illness.
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What Chelsea are doing to sign ‘next Neymar’
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If Jude Bellingham is set to be the huge transfer extravaganza of the summer then Endrick, a player dubbed the ‘next Neymar’, is the undercard that people actually want to watch. He’s the brilliant chassis on a gorgeous car. Sure, sign Bellingham and likely dominate midfields for the next five years, but sign Endrick and dominate the attack for 10.
It’s not often, though ever increasing in the world of hyper attention on anyone that can do four kick ups and a little flick on the playground, that such a young player becomes the centre of a mass frenzy. Endrick is The One.
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Boehly handed January transfer opportunity
The 2022 World Cup will get underway in Qatar in just nine days. It will be an international tournament like no other, a unique and controversial festival of football. And there will be much interest for those of a Chelsea perspective with a number of players set to represent their countries.
The timing of the tournament has been the subject of much debate. But what it does offer players is a platform to perform in the weeks leading up to the January transfer window. And there will certainly be those wanting to catch the eye with their long-term futures at their respective clubs uncertain.
Chelsea face an identity crisis
Things are not going well for Graham Potter of late. Chelsea are without a win in the league in four, losing their last two and three of their last four in all competitions. Wednesday night’s defeat to Manchester City knocked them out of the League Cup in the third round, the earliest they have exited the competition since 2011.
Potter does not have a large credit in the bank yet to stem the tide of doubts from a highly demanding group of supporters who have been trained in consistent success. His predecessor not only came with a grander CV but quickly wrote his name in the club’s folklore within four months by winning the Champions League. Potter does not have the time to do that with a giant pause about to hit on an already turbulent domestic season.
