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Chelsea have just one win in all competitions since the turn of the year, with West Ham United holding the Blues to a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon in the English Premier League.
Despite Chelsea taking an early lead at the London Stadium thanks to Joao Felix’s debut goal, former Blues full-back Emerson Palmieri ensured the points were shared. Chelsea are still a few players short of a complete squad after an injury crisis over the last six months, and that, combined with eight new additions in the January transfer window, means the club is essentially in transition right now according to manager Graham Potter.
Chelsea Squad Still Developing – Potter
“[The] second-half is probably more of a reflection of where we are as a group and as a team,” Potter said after the draw with West Ham.
“In terms of players getting up to speed, returning from injury and players adapting to the Premier League. That’s the work in progress, that’s what we have to work with but it was a step forward overall from the previous game,” he added.
On Saturday, five of Chelsea’s eight new acquisitions from last month started. Felix, who scored the Blues’ goal, was joined in the starting lineup by Benoit Badiashile, Enzo Fernandez, Noni Madueke, and Mykhailo Mudryk.
Each of those recruits are now adjusting to life in England. With each game that passes, Potter will be hoping that the players’ confidence grows – and with each of them being so young, this is a group that might come alive next season rather than the remaining months of this season.
Chelsea Have ‘Capability’ to Beat Dortmund
Chelsea go to Germany on Tuesday, hoping to take a step towards the Champions League quarter-finals. The Blues face Borussia Dortmund, who are presently third in the Bundesliga after 20 games, on Wednesday evening, and Potter is well aware of the threat the Black and Yellow will provide.
“We have the capability to beat Dortmund but they are also a strong side with the capability to get a result as well,” Potter told reporters. “We have to understand that and go to Dortmund with humility, with respect, and try to get the result.”
It’s a really humble and modest verdict from the Chelsea head coach, who is well aware of the restrictions that his squad has at the moment. However, a run in the Champions League would do wonders for the board’s confidence in the newly-appointed Potter, which is thought to be high.
“You cannot talk about the long-term because that doesn’t exist in this job,” Potter continued. “You have to acknowledge there’s a long-term but there’s a short-term and medium term that is challenging for us in terms of results.
“The experienced players know what we’ve been through. You’re talking about some top professionals who know football.
“While people on the outside may have an opinion on things, these guys have been around and know the challenges we’ve faced. They know the situation the club has been in and what’s happened.
“So then it’s about helping them get through it, the inevitable frustration because they want to win. We all do and the supporters do. That’s where it’s been challenging.”
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