Potter Looking To Manage Selection Issues After Chelsea Spend Big Again
Chelsea have certainly had better days in the Premier League when it comes to more regular success, but new owner Todd Boehly has certainly put his money where his mouth is following the completion of the takeover from Roman Abramovich. Following their transfer action in the last two available windows, manager Graham Potter has been given a wealth of new talent in the hopes of pushing them right back up the table again and challenging for true prizes.
With the summer window seeing the big money arrivals of names like Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mark Cucurella and Wesley Fofana, Chelsea were just as wild with the spending in the January transfer window and there will certainly be those fans out there who wonder exactly how they can justify some of the fees spent when you consider Financial Fair Play regulations and opposition fans will definitely be https://www.betting.co.uk that this is not the last we have heard of it.
In any event though, it did not stop them from spending a reported extra £250 million on players like David Datro Fofano, Mykhailo Mudryk, Maio Gusto and Enzo Fernandez.
The biggest question for fans is just how Potter is going to ingratiate them all into the squad, and then ultimately keep them happy whilst fostering some momentum and understanding in his first team selections.
As issue that the former Brighton and Hove Albion gaffer has acknowledged himself in a recent interview following the closure of the latest window. Particularly when it comes to them submitting their Champions League squad again for the second half of the year. Having signed eight new players during the course of January, UEFA rules dictate that only three of them can now be added to their squad for remaining European fixtures this season.
That obviously gives rise to an obvious problem at Stamford Bridge.
“There’s going to be a few awkward conversations. That’s the reality of where we are. Only 11 can play and only a certain amount can be in squads so there’s always going to be a certain amount who will be disappointed.”
Potter went on to say that instead he was ‘excited’ about the challenge that now faced him ahead of this weeks decision.
“Challenge is the right word. Certainly not complaining about it – it’s exciting. It’s a test for me and the staff but an exciting one. We have a lot of really good players. We have to create an environment where there’s competition – healthy competition where they can push each other – but at the same time understand that there’s going to be frustration at times and only 11 can play.”
With the deadline day capture of Argentine World Cup winner Fernandez and the fact he is now the British record transfer fee at £107 million, Potter was undoubtedly going to be asked about that signing.
“I found out that we’d signed Enzo when it was all done and I’m very pleased, because he is a fantastic player. My Spanish isn’t great, his English isn’t great, so we needed to lean on the translator but we’ll get there! He is an impressive young man.”
Whether or not Friday evening’s clash with Fulham comes too quick for 22 year old Fernandez to make his debut remains to be seen, but his first appearance on the pitch won’t be far off given the buzz his arrival in England has made, particularly given the profile he gave himself out in Qatar staring alongside Lionel Messi.