Chelsea ´itching to play´ after lengthy Premier League wait for Potter

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter is raring to go against Crystal Palace, having had to endure an unusually long wait for his first Premier League game in charge.

Potter is set for a domestic debut on the bench after succeeding Thomas Tuchel, with clashes against Fulham and Liverpool prior to the international break postponed.

That has given the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss, appointed on September 8, a 23-day wait for his first domestic engagement, and Potter says his team are “itching to play” at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

“We used a bit of time to get to know people, but at the same time we’re itching to play,” Potter said at Friday’s press conference. “We couldn’t control anything in terms of how things have panned out, we’ve had to make the most of it.

“I’m sure it will be a nice one. It’s a proper football stadium. The boys are ready and waiting to play.

“You’ve got to start somewhere and there are a lot of games to come. The group are looking forward to playing.”

Working for the weekend. pic.twitter.com/ALMDlohGhK

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 29, 2022

Potter oversaw Chelsea’s 1-1 with Salzburg in the Champions League, but the death of Queen Elizabeth II meant domestic duties were put on hold.

The Blues boss gave an insight into how he will approach squad management at Stamford Bridge, promising opportunities for young players if they prove their worth – particularly in the frantic run-up to the World Cup.

“All young players have to hope they get an opportunity. They put themselves in there in training and games. If the quality is there, age is no barrier,” Potter said.

“We’ve got six weeks and 13 matches, using the players the right way and winning matches in the toughest league in the world. That’s the challenge in the short term.”

A slow start to the season has seen Chelsea fall adrift of the early pacesetters in the Premier League, already sitting eight points behind leaders Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand.

Potter is clear there is plenty of work to do but is only focusing on the short term as he looks to get Chelsea back in the hunt.

“The first thing to say is change is good, bad and challenging, it’s how you deal with it and work for it,” he said. “It’s well documented what has happened. It’s part of life sometimes.

“It’s a bit more than a short-term challenge. The resources, or history, doesn’t guarantee you anything in this league. It’s about getting everything lined up and everyone working together and the strategy clear.”

As for whether a top-four finish is vital for Chelsea, Potter preferred to leave that for nearer the end of the campaign.

“Vital sounds a bit life-or-death and a bit dramatic,” he said. “I only focus on the next game or next session.”