Chelsea manager Graham Potter will face his former side Brighton on Saturday in the Premier League when Chelsea travels to Amex (American Express Community Stadium).
The blues are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games under Graham Potter, with three wins and two draws.
Graham Potter has provided an update on the fitness of Mateo Kovacic and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Mateo Kovacic scored the open goal in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over RB Salzburg in the Champions League. The Croatian midfielder was substituted in the 68th minute of the second half with a calf problem.
Kalidou Koulibaly was not involved in Chelsea’s last two matches against Manchester United and RB Salzburg.
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However, Graham Potter has revealed that Mateo Kovacic has no calf injury problem but it is more about fatigue. The midfielder might feature against Brighton.
Kalidou Koulibaly will not be involved in the Brighton game as he still nursing his knee injury.
What did Graham Potter say on the fitness of Mateo Kovacic and Kalidou Koulibaly?
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League encounter with Brighton, Graham Potter said: “Pretty much the same as we were against Salzburg.
“Mateo hasn’t really got a problem with his calf, more fatigue.
“For Koulibaly this game has come too soon. He’s an outside chance for Wednesday [against Dinamo Zagreb] but not for tomorrow.”
Graham Potter could set a new record on Saturday as the first English manager to go unbeaten in his first 10 matches.
Potter has played down those feet and insisted that he is more focused on winning against Brighton.
He added: “I didn’t know. It’s nice but it’s not something I’m focused on. I just want to prepare the team and play well and try and win the game against Brighton which will be tough enough. I don’t worry about anything like that, I just focus on the game.”
Brighton are yet to win a game since Graham Potter left the club. A win against Chelsea will be their first in five matches and the first for Roberto De Zerbi since taking over from Potter.
He continued: “Of course, they’re capable of that. I think they’ve been unlucky. That’s the only thing I can say, their performance have been good. A lot of positives there, there difference is, luck sometimes you need it. They haven’t had too much from what I’ve seen. Performances have been good, they’ve got the capability, I know the quality of the team, so it’s a tough game for us.”
When asked which of his former players he is worried about, Graham Potter replied: “I wouldn’t want to single anybody out. I think they’re a really good team, they understand what they’re doing, they understand each other, they understand the game, they understand space and now they’re looking at implementing Roberto’s ideas.
“I think they’re doing well, apart from a little bit of luck I think they’d have more points, they’ve had some tough fixtures as well. Great bunch of lads, absolutely fantastic, and top staff as well. I had a fantastic time there. I know the quality and I know how difficult the game is tomorrow.”
