The Football fixtures have been scheduled in a way to accommodate the first-ever winter World Cup. All League matches will break in mid-November to allow for the World Cup.
Chelsea will have to play 13 matches in the space of six weeks before mid-November.
However, Graham Potter has revealed the tight schedule could present an opportunity to see all his players in action. But caution that it will reduce the number of training hours with his players at the Chobham.
What did Graham Potter say?
The Chelsea manager explained at a press conference: “It’s just part of the job, it’s part of the challenge.
“It’s what we have to deal with and what we have to work with. We have to be smart about how we work, and smart about how we use our time.
“We’ve got a lot of games to come. It’s well documented the number of games we have, which is great. We can see all the players. There’ll be lots of competition. Everyone’s ready and looking forward to playing. It’s never easy picking a team because you’ve always got good players and good options, but we can deal with that.
“We’ve got six weeks, 13 matches, and quickly. It’s about managing the players, making sure we use them in the right way and winning football matches in the toughest league in the world with the Champions League there as well. So that’s the challenge in the short term that I’m thinking about.
“From my perspective, I see it as a positive. I think it’s a chance for us to play. We haven’t played for a while. We’ve got a good group, a big group who are all itching to play. There’s good competition in the squad, so bring it on!”
Potter also added that he expects a charged atmosphere at Selhurst Park and also expressed his admiration for the Work Patrick Vieira has done at Crystal Palace.
“I love the atmosphere there. It’s a proper football stadium and the supporters get behind the team and make it difficult for the away side, whoever it is. So we’re looking forward to that challenge, but the boys are ready, the boys are itching to play, and we can’t wait.
“Patrick’s done a fantastic job. I think he built on the foundations that Roy laid in terms of the defensive structure, and added some really good attacking players and not just in attacking positions. I think the center-backs have made a difference for them, in terms of defending and how they build their attacks. It’s always difficult to play against Patrick’s teams, they’re well organized with a good spirit. I think he’s done a really good job there.”
The 47-year-old also insisted that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has nothing to prove to anybody.
Potter added: “I’m looking forward to working with him. I’ve enjoyed working with him in the brief time we’ve been together.
“I can see he’s a good guy, focused, wants to do well, wants to play, and wants to score. So I’m really enjoying it.
“He’s got nothing to prove to me or anything negative in that regard. His career is his career. I have huge respect for that. My job now is to help him enjoy his football and be a part of what we’re trying to do here. He’s acted as a top professional, a top person, so I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Graham Potter will hope to win his first Premier League game as a Chelsea manager.
