Graham Potter is ‘can’t wait to go’ ahead of his first Premier League game as Chelsea manager.
Speaking ahead of the Blues’ league encounter with Crystal Palace, live on talkSPORT 2, the former Brighton manager revealed he was desperate for the international break to end.
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Potter is back and ready to go
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His first game didn’t go exactly as planned
Potter was named as Thomas Tuchel’s replacement at Stamford Bridge on September 8, making a quick leap into Champions League football after a strong start to the season with Brighton.
Becoming the first managerial hire under new owner Todd Boehly, Potter’s first game in charge was a 1-1 European draw against Salzburg before a break for international football interrupted proceedings.
Having not played for over three weeks and having lost most of his first team stars to their country, Potter had to weigh the positives and negatives ahead of a trip to Selhurst Park.
“I used the time to get to know people in an environment without games, but at the same time we can’t wait to go, want to play,” he said.
“It’s really where you learn everything, where you learn a lot and where you make an impression.
“We couldn’t really control anything in terms of how things went with the cancellations. The international break is what it is, so we just have to make the most of it.
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Chelsea’s key players worked hard during the international break
Potter, 47, also gave an injury update on a number of key players, as well as his thoughts on recently signed striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Asked about N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy, he said: “They are doing very well in terms of their rehabilitation stages. NG has just been on the grass with the team but not in full training, Eddie is a bit further but hasn’t had enough to really get involved over the weekend. Maybe next week for him
“A bit of illness for Marc Cucurella and Carney [Chukwuemeka]other than that everyone is fine.
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Kante could be back next week
“I look forward to working with [Aubameyang], I enjoyed working with him during the short time we worked together. He’s a good guy, focused, he wants to do well, he wants to play, he wants to score.
Potter was asked if the former Arsenal striker has a point to prove in England and he continued: “I’m not sure. You should talk to him about that.
“He has nothing to prove to me. His career is his career, I have huge respect for that. My job is to help him enjoy his football, to help him be part of what we’re trying to do here. He acted like a top professional, a top person.
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