In charge: Graham Potter
(Picture: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Chelsea manager Graham Potter has given his verdict on Erik ten Hag and the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.
A statement from United on Thursday confirmed Ronaldo would be left out of their trip to Stamford Bridge after refusing to come on as a late substitute during a 2-0 midweek win over Tottenham the previous evening. Ronaldo also left the stadium before the match had finished, prompting Ten Hag to dish out disciplinary action.
Potter spoke of his “huge respect” for Ten Hag and has been impressed by his start in the Premier League.
“[Ten Hag] has taken his stance and sometimes you have to do that and the club have taken his support. That’s what has happened, that’s what I see from the outside. It’s hard to comment because I don’t know exactly what’s happened and I don’t want to go off headlines.”
Potter added: "I have a huge respect for Ten Hag. They've done well, not a great start but they've battled back and played well. It's going to be a tough game.
"It's a game of football. You have to analyse the opponent, and think of a way you can play. Manchester United are Manchester United. They have some top players, and they have galvanised into an impressive team. It’s a fantastic game to play so we are looking forward to it.
“They’ve changed a bit in terms of how they build up. They’ve got a bit more longer balls and are direct. They’ve still got the same quality with [Marcus] Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Bruno Fernandes - who plays a key role for them so there are a lot of similarities.
“It’s the same squad but they seem to have adapted to each other and at the competition which is a normal process really. I’ve been at Brighton for three years and Erik had been at Man United for six weeks if that [when I beat him early in the season].
“There’s a lot of processes you have to go through and that’s normal. Because he has the quality, I am pretty sure they will get better and better as they go on.”
Potter has confirmed that Chelsea have a full squad available this weekend apart from long-term absentees N’Golo Kante, Reece James and Wesley Fofana.
“[James] is in a brace for four weeks to stabilise the knee, then it's rehab. That will take around eight weeks. That's the latest,” Potter continued.
"The most important thing for us and me is we get [Kante] fit, that's the focus. He's got a long road ahead of him. We have to get him back fit and strong. When he is fit and enjoying his football, we can think of those things [like his contract situation] then.
"They are human beings. The reality is, I've got nothing to say that will make it any better for them. You have to focus on the things you can control, rehab, go day to day."
