Graham Potter’s start to life as Chelsea manager has been an impressive one, with the new Blues coach still unbeaten during his time at the helm.
He came within minutes from overseeing a particularly crucial win over fellow big-six rivals Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, but Jorginho’s 86th minute penalty wasn’t enough to hand the hosts all three points.
Casemiro’s last gasp looping header just about crossed the goal-line to dampen the mood of the west London faithful, though a point still kept Chelsea in front of United in the race for Champions League qualification come the end of this season.
Newcastle ’s shock 2-1 win away at Tottenham has meant both Chelsea and United have since fallen one place down the Premier League pecking order, with the Blues now occupying fifth.
Mirror Football has taken a look at some of the main headlines and talking points coming out of Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, October 25.
Chelsea ready to trigger release clause
Todd Boehly is thought to be working closely with Potter to prepare for the upcoming January transfer window and already has his sights set on the club’s main target.
The Blues came close to striking a deal with Dinamo Moscow for Arsen Zakharyan in the summer, but the move failed to materialise. This was partly due to sanctions imposed by FIFA and UEFA on signing Russian players during the nation’s war with Ukraine.
Chelsea were willing to pay the midfielder’s £12.6million release clause before the new rules were brought in. According to the Evening Standard, the Blues’ interest has not waned as they still want to fork out the required sum to bring the Russian to west London.
The 19-year-old has plenty of admirers and while the aforementioned restrictions are still in place, there is a shared hope among clubs across the continent that they will be eased in the months to come.
Despite still being a teenager until May of next year, Zakharyan boasts plenty of experience in senior football – making more than 50 appearances for Moscow, including some in the Champions League.
Considering Chelsea’s weak area is undeniably their midfield, expect Potter to push hard for the signing of Zakharyan at the turn of the year.
Koulibaly misses training before Salzburg clash
Chelsea are expected to be without summer signing Kalidou Koulibaly for Tuesday night’s trip to Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg.
The Blues are by no means easing their way through the Champions League group stages and while they currently sit top of Group E, Salzburg are breathing down their necks just a point behind.
Potter’s first game in charge game against Salzburg at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw on their own patch – proving their next opponents are not to be underestimated.
Therefore, it would have been ideal to have been able to call upon former Napoli stalwart Koulibaly, but Potter’s last update was not an optimistic one regarding the defender.
“He just felt his knee at the back end of the game against Brentford,” the manager said. “It’s not too bad, but it’s too soon for him to play in this game.”
Chelsea urged to avoid Ronaldo transfer
Rumours of Cristiano Ronaldo ’s potential move to Chelsea have been in circulation since it first became well-documented that the Portuguese icon wanted out of Old Trafford.
Blues owner Boehly’s meeting with Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes added further fuel to the fire, but former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has told his old side to steer well clear of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Pressed for comment on whether he expects Potter to try and sign Ronaldo, Cascarino told talkSPORT : "Not really. It's an interesting one because I don't think United will be prepared to let Ronaldo go.
"It could cost them Champions League football if they didn't make the top-four and Ronaldo went to Chelsea. From that point of view it would be a difficult one to understand.
"Also, Chelsea need legs in the centre forward position, they need someone who's a real, determined runner, who gets into positions and is quick. I would be amazed if that happened, if Ronaldo ended up at Stamford Bridge.
