Your Chelsea morning digest with football.london on Sunday, October 23.
Potter explains Kovacic decision
Graham Potter revealed that Mateo Kovacic is still carrying the knee issue that impacted his start to the season. The midfielder was an early substitution against Manchester United when he replaced Marc Cucurella as the Blues looked to change shape.
It is the second time in as many matches that the Croatian star has been introduced in the opening half of football after Conor Gallagher needed to be replaced after 15 minutes against Brentford. The 28-year-old had a significant impact after entering the field with 36 minutes on the clock.
However, it appears Kovacic is still carrying the issue which saw him miss Chelsea's match against Tottenham in August before being carefully reintroduced to the side.
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Potter said in his press conference: "He’s been nursing his knee all season pretty much and you look at the schedule, it’s impossible for him to start all the games.
"We’ve planned for him to have less time but things have conspired against us."
Read full story, here
Mount receives area to improve
Chelsea star Mason Mount has been told how he can reach the same level of Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne.
After a slow start to the new season, Mount has started to show signs he is back to his best form under Graham Potter. The 23-year-old has registered seven goal contributions in 14 appearances in all competitions, all coming since Potter took charge as Thomas Tuchel's replacement at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea legend Pat Nevin has slammed 'daft' criticism of Mount with the Blues boss also questioning doubts over the 23-year-old's ability. The Cobham product has already broken club legend Frank Lampard's record after scoring 32 goals in 139 appearances, already having won the UEFA Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup with Chelsea.
Despite having won some of the top honours in club football with the Blues, Mount is still considered to be a level below the likes of City stay De Bruyne who is yet to win the Champions League. Speaking ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash against Manchester United, former Blues striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes the English playmaker must 'push himself' more to and take games by the scruff of the neck.
The ex-Chelsea forward said: "Kevin de Bruyne has so many assists, maybe not enough goals, Mason Mount can do the same. He’s still improving, young, but he needs to push himself more especially in the big games.
"Taking big games by the scruff of the neck, this is my game, he’s not done that enough. He’s got all the potential but he needs to bring more to his game"
Read full story, here
Chelsea boss on Man United, Kepa, Chalobah, Koulibaly
What are you feelings after that, Graham?
“First 30 minutes I thought Manchester United were better and forced us back. We had to adjust a little bit there, try to get another player in the midfield and put a bit more pressure on them. They were building their attacks to easily and driving us back, so we had to adjust that.
"From that point, I thought we did well in the game. We are disappointed of course to concede late but over the course of the game, I think a point is right for us. I don’t think we can sit here and say we deserved to win because we didn’t do enough to win the game I don’t think. But effort-wise, what the boys put in, was amazing. It was a fantastic effort from the players and I am proud of them for that.”
Talk us through your thinking behind the early change you made?
“The sense in the game was that we were getting a little bit overrun in midfield and we needed an extra player in there to create a bit more pressure and stop them building their attacks, and therefore making it harder for us to build ours. It’s just a feeling I had. It wasn’t an easy decision to make at all but the boys responded really well and gave everything.”
Read the full transcript, here
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