Graham Potter exclusive: Chelsea head coach explains how their January transfer window mega spend has changed the club’s direction | Football News

“Well, I can’t imagine having that many types today,” Graham Potter said of Chelsea’s Transfer Deadline Day business.

Called Potter to tell him Enzo Fernandez’s record-breaking contract from Benfica was finally completed after midnight. There were moments throughout the day when he thought it was never going to happen.

Unsurprisingly, the Chelsea head coach’s main emotion was relief, but he was also excited about the undoubted talent of the young Argentine.

“We knew him before the World Cup, we knew about his quality,” Potter said exclusively Sky Sports ahead of that Friday Night football schedule with Fulham. “He was one of the players we thought about, then we watched him at the World Cup and thought it might be more expensive than we thought.

“He is determined, humble, you can see how he plays football, he has personality and character. He has played a lot of big games at a young age and moved away from his family and everything. He knows what he wants, knows the game , wants to help the team and I look forward to getting to know him.”

If the paperwork and clearance are completed in time, Fernandez could play in Friday’s game. So did Hakim Ziyech after the shambolic collapse of his deal with PSG in the final hours of Transfer Deadline Day.

“I spoke to him afterwards,” said Potter “It’s part of football, it can happen, he was disappointed to get to that point. You think you’re in one place and then suddenly you’re not but he’s a professional, he knows the game. , support this team and want to return for our help.

“He was good today, that’s the reason to ask him to come back. He wants to play football and get the most out of his career now with us. He is committed to us and we hope to see him in the second half of the season. “

‘There were big challenges from day one’

This won’t be the last time this season that Potter has to deliver bad news. In a squad already packed with international stars, a busy transfer window will lead to tougher conversations about team selection.

“In an ideal world, you wouldn’t want to have it, but that’s my job,” Potter said. “You have to do it in a respectful, honest and transparent way – and respect the fact there will be disappointment and frustration and you allow it and help them move forward.

“You have to look at the right combination, the balance of the group, and take difficult decisions. Many players can make a strong case. It’s our challenge and I’m not complaining about it – it’s part of the job and I’m really looking forward to taking it and do your best.

“I think there has been a big challenge since the first day. The club has gone through an incredible change with the ownership, there must be stability and calmness that is difficult to say that we have made the marks we have done. We must build a team culture and environment and then you can start to see real progress I think.

‘We have changed the direction of the team’

What is difficult for some to see is the strategy to rebuild the club under Todd Boehly. ‘Scattergun’ is a word that has been used in some quarters to describe the £600m spend on the club since the American billionaire took over.

So what is Potter’s view of the bigger picture?

“Sometimes people can’t see things and that’s normal. From our perspective, we can see clearly in this window,” he said.

“You look at the age of the players, where they are in their career, the combination of investment in transfer fees and salaries has made good sense for us and where we are now. We have a group of hungry players. who are ready to help the team now and also grow and grow as the club grows.

“The players we’ve signed, they’ve aged, we’ve changed the direction of the team to where we need to go, now it’s the function.”

‘Our ambition is to win’

With Chelsea 10th in the Premier League and needing to close a 10-point gap to the top four, how quickly can that happen?

Potter insists that it will take time and you get the sense it will give. He won’t talk about his targets or speculate about his future if he doesn’t qualify for the Champions League, but he hopes and expects a significant improvement in the second half of the season.

“Our ambition is to do well until the end of the season,” added Potter. “Our ambition is not to finish fourth or third or second, our ambition is to win. We try to do it with the signs we have done, we have shown our intentions. At the same time, we know the process and the position,” and we must keep working.”

That starts tonight against a Fulham side who beat Chelsea 2-1 just a few weeks ago. In addition to his impressive new star signings, Potter could have Reece James, Ben Chillwell and Raheem Sterling back from injury – this will be one of the most anticipated team sheets in a while as we look at this evolving Chelsea side.