Graham Potter Brighton
A new-look team but the same problem in front of goal?
A lot of positivity and good feeling. Certainly from the start of the game, I thought the crowd helped with that as well but within the team there was a good feeling. I agree, I think we didn’t do enough in terms of our attacking play to create more which is something we need to do. I think you saw a team against us that defend very well, very organised and that bit of connection, that bit of fluidity, that bit of understanding that you need we probably lacked a little bit which is understandable when you consider we’ve got players coming back from injury and new players in the team. That’s just where we’re at at the moment. In the Premier League against well-organised defensive unites with the likes of Mitrovic who can attack well you’re always on your toes. Some positives for us of course. The effort was there, the spirit was there but as an attacking team we would like to do more.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang didn’t make the Champions League squad, is that something that’s going to be difficult for the rest of the season? What was the thinking?
I don’t think it’s going to be difficult because Pierre is a professional and of course, I understand he will be disappointed. It was a tough decision, a tough call. We had three coming in and two had to go out. He was the one that missed out, he’s done nothing wrong at all.
We wanted to give David some game time today to see where he’s at and to give him that opportunity. I think you saw that one flash that he’s got. Pierre is just unfortunate and he will be fighting for his place for the rest of the season.
Aubameyang seems to be in Milan, was he given permission for a day off?
He trained today, he trained very well and he’s got the weekend off so we can report on Monday. It’s a free world.
Your decision or was there any pressure? Just seems like you were positive about him recently.
Whichever decision we made there was always going to be a conversation about it but it was my decision. It was a tough decision absolutely, sometimes you have to make these calls but it’s absolutely nothing bad against him. He’s done nothing wrong at all.
First impressions of Enzo Fernandez?
I thought he handled himself magnificently. Tough game and you can see his quality, you can see what he will bring to the team. Not easy for him or for us because he’s not been with us that long. I think you’ll see how good he can be and how much he can influence the team so excited with him.
How was Pierre when you told him? How difficult was it?
Yeah, it was difficult because I am empathetic so I understand his disappointment but I’ve got a responsibility to make these tough decisions and to articulate them as honestly and as well as I can to the player and then respect the fact that he’s going to be disappointed. He’s handled it very well, trained today fantastically which is what I would expect. He’s been a top guy for us.
Was Mykhailo Mudryk injured?
No, he’s had a heavy cold all week. We thought 60 would be his maximum but he felt heavy-legged at half time. We’re still building him up in terms of his minutes because of the break he has had in his season so we thought 45 was about right for him
What does Aubameyang need to do? Can he fit in your system?
Yeah, absolutely. Everything is up for grabs. He’s got to keep working, train like he did today and be ready to play because football changes quickly. That’s the nature of the game.
How confident are you that Chelsea can make the top four?
I’m confident with the potential that we have, with the ability that is in the group. What we need to do now is gel the team. That’s the challenge. There’s a lot of football to play but at the same time I don’t want to waste too much time worrying about what we’re going to do in four months’ time, I want to focus on the next day, the next training session and the next game.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola had their say on transfers, do you know how it works and what are the implications of not making Champions League?
Yeah, I do and I think you’ve got to look at all in terms of an investment, in terms of transfer fees and salaries. Sometimes you can sign a player for less of a transfer fee but the salaries are enormous. It just depends how you structure the contract, how you structure the deal. We’re confident with what we’re doing, I think the club has done a good job. Now my job is to improve the team.
