Afternoon Graham, what’s the latest team news?
“We are still in the process of recovery; pretty much as we were with Brentford. Conor [Gallagher] trained today so we will how he is over the 24 hours. Apart from the long-term absences, we’re pretty much where we were.”
What is the latest with Reece James?
“The first thing is he's in a brace for four weeks to stabilise the knee, then it's rehab. So that will take, as we said, around eight weeks. That's the latest.”
READ MORE: Graham Potter has a new Chelsea undroppable ahead of Manchester United clash
You defeated Manchester United on the opening day of the season with Brighton, but what has changed in that space of time?
“A lot. I have huge respect for [Erik] Ten Hag, the job he’s done in his career, and his quality as a coach. You can see people adapt and adjust as they go into the competition faze. So they have done well. Obviously, it wasn’t a great start from their perspective but they’ve battled back, got points and played well. It’s going to be a tough game.”
What differences have you noticed in the team?
“They’ve changed a little in how they build-up, they are a little bit more direct. At the same time, they have the same quality. The have the threats of [Marcus] Rashford, Anthony, [Jadon] Sancho and Bruno Fernandes plays a key role for them. So there are a lot of similarities but they seem to have adapted to the competition, adapted to each other, learned more about each other. It’s a normal process really.
"I’d been at Brighton for three years when we played them and Erik had been at Manchester United six weeks if that, so there is a lot of learning you need to do and a process that you need to go through. That’s normal. He has the quality and naturally, they will get better and better as time goes on.”
Erik Ten Hag says he knows a bit more about you now, so do you have something up your sleeve for this weekend?
“No, not really. It’s a game of football and it’s always the same. You have to analyse the opponent and think of a way you can play yourself. But Manchester United are Manchester United, they have got top players and are galvanising into an impressive team. It’s a tough game, an exciting game, a fantastic game to be involved in. We’re looking forward to it.”
What have you made of the way Erik Ten Hag has dealt with Cristiano Ronaldo in the last couple of days?
“I can’t really comment because I don’t know the ins and outs but he has taken his stance, sometimes you have to do that, and then you need the club to support. From the outside, that is what has happened.”
Is that the only thing he could’ve really done?
“It’s difficult for me to comment because I don’t know the actual context and I don’t know what’s really happened. I don’t want to go off headlines and things like that. Part of the job is to take decisions that are difficult but that is normal.”
On Denis Zakaria, where does he fit into your plans and why hasn’t he featured?
“We’ve got a squad of 24 players and we’ve used a lot. In that position, there are quite a few good players so he has had to stay patient. But he is competing, fighting for his place and is ready to help the team if he needs to. No matter how a season goes, there is always going to be a question about an individual because you can’t play everybody. He’s been a little bit unfortunate, he’s done nothing wrong. At the moment, he’s not the game time I’m sure he would like but he’s acting well in training and is ready to help.”
What conversations have you had with Reece James and N’Golo Kante about missing out on the World Cup due to their injuries?
“You have to acknowledge they are human beings and want be involved in that competition, absolutely. The reality is I’ve not got anything to say that can make it any better for them. It’s worth acknowledging that. It’s one of those things where you’ve got to focus on the things you can control. Focus on the rehab, the day to day, things get better and then you can move forward.”
Does the injury issue with N’Golo Kante impact any discussions about his contract?
“The most important thing for us and for me is that we help him get fit. That is the focus. He has a long road ahead of him so we have to make sure we get the right treatment to help him, to get him back fit and strong, and then when he is enjoying his football we can think about those things then.”
We’ve seen a lot of your personality come out on press conferences…
“I have one you know. I do have one!”
No, I wasn’t implying in anyway you were boring…
“Hang on, I never mentioned boring!”
Is your team now playing with your personality, that’s what I wanted to ask?
“Six weeks is quite a short time to really get my true and wonderful personality onto a team! It depends on who you listen to you take opinion from that. The personality is that of the players at the moment, absolutely. They’ve understood there is a challenge to be had and they’ve taken it up. They’ve been brilliant, really honest and responsible. So the personality is all them. You’ve got to wait for my boring one to emerge!”
Can I take you back to the 20 minutes you played for Southampton against Manchester United, what are your memories?
“Well, I changed the game! It was turning toward Manchester United but then I came on and it flipped toward us. We scored three goals, that’s what happened! Thankfully, we didn’t lose the game when I came on. That was the biggest worry for me!
It was one of those days that you get at The Dell. You speak to Gary [Neville] and you’ll know they didn’t really like The Dell that much. The previous season wasn’t great for them with the shirt change. So it was one of those games; Matt Le Tissier was on fire and Eyal Berkovic scored a really good goal. It was just one of those fantastic team performances.
"I think Roy Keane got sent off as well, apologies for mentioning that to Roy…it wasn’t like him! Of course, that contributed. It was a great day for us and not a good one for them.”
When Conor Gallagher went off on Wednesday, did that change your plans dramatically against Brentford?
“A little bit. That substitution means we could only have two stops so that affected us a little bit. At the same time, we probably needed some control in the game. Brentford are not easy to control and if you don’t control them, the ball is in your box quite quickly and easily. So that was the decision at the time. Obviously, Mateo [Kovacic] has qualities that he brought to the team.”
Trevoh Chalobah has been in great form, how do you view his development and can be break into the England squad for the World Cup?
“I’ve been very impressed – and from day one I have to say. He didn’t start in the first couple of games but acted perfectly. He trained really well and was very professional and determined. He is an impressive character and very focused on his football. He wants to play, wants to help the team, wants Chelsea to win.
"So he is great in that regard and is a bit of a soldier. He has played in all the games because we’ve been having some problems in terms of availability for players, but he has stood in for us and is performing at a really good level. I’m not surprised he is getting that [England] link but thankfully that isn’t my decision, that is somebody else’s.
Do you think he is at that level?
“Well, he is playing every week for us and that is a decision for Gareth [Southgate] to make and not me.”
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