Sports

‘We Have To Gel’: Graham Potter Delivers Chelsea Verdict After Disappointing Goalless Draw Vs Fulham

Published

2 years ago

February 4, 2023

'We Have To Gel': Graham Potter Delivers Chelsea Verdict After Disappointing Goalless Draw Vs Fulham

Chelsea manager, Graham Potter has delivered an honest verdict on Chelsea’s 0-0 draw against Fulham in the Premier League on Friday night.

Chelsea were held to a goalless draw as they were left frustrated by a lack of chances, and the ones that came they were unable to convert. Kai Havertz hit the post in the first half, whole substitute David Datro Fofana had a shot cleared off the line

Debuts were given to Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke, both of whom impressed, while Mykhailo Mudryk made his home and full debut in the capital.

Having to settle for a point frustrated Chelsea and Potter, who reflected on the missed chances being the crux of whether or not they deserved to come away with a victory and made a request to his side.

“There was a lot of excitement and positivity from the start, a good atmosphere. The spirit of the players was really good. They worked hard for each other against an organised team,” Graham Potter told BBC after Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Fulham.

“[Fulham have] been together a while. We’re a different stage of that – players coming back from injury and new players. We needed time to settle everything down. We were missing the connection, fluidity and confidence that comes from knowing each other.

“The decision we took in the window you can see the profile in terms of age. We feel we have a very strong group of players. We have to gel and become a really good team. That’s where the work is.

“It’s working together. When players have been injured they have not been on the training pitch. We have new players with us. It’s about getting ideas across and working with the group.

“Sometimes you have to look at the whole package. Young players, nice mix of them both. For us, it’s about improving.

“New players are adapting to a new country and a new league. It’s not straightforward. When the price tag is what it is questions will be asked, it’s the nature of the business.”

Chelsea might have plenty of new players involved in the game, but the problems are largely the same.

In the last 12 games across all competitions, Chelsea have only scored three goals – a horrible trend for such an expensively assembled team.

The squad is still getting to grips with each other after the seven new arrivals in January, plus Malo Gusto who is back with Lyon for the rest of the season, and Potter needs time for the squad to gel and build chemistry.

Chelsea now have a full week to prepare for their next outing which comes away to West Ham in the Premier League next Saturday. Improvement will be wanted and required from the Blues, who will be under pressure to start delivering wins following the heavy transfer spend across the last two windows.