Graham Potter breaks silence on Mount, Aubameyang speculation, as Chelsea prepare for Southampton clash

Chelsea manager Graham Potter is looking ahead to his clash against Southampton on Saturday, which comes just 72 hours after they were defeated 1-0 by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Despite the loss, there were some positives to take from the performance. Now, the English manager is fully focused on finding some much-needed form in the Premier League.

However, the key problem against Dortmund was their lack of a goal-scoring threat. This has been a common theme for Chelsea this season, who have been forced to play the likes of Kai Havertz out of position as a central striker.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be available for Chelsea’s match this weekend, as mentioned by the manager, but he clearly doesn’t trust him, given

January signing David Datro Fofana is another option, so it’s thought he could make his starting XI against Southampton.

Potter also broke the silence on Mason Mount’s contract talks, which has been the source of heavy speculation in recent weeks.

Firstly, Potter was asked about the availability of Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell: “It’s positive, we’re going to train later this afternoon. Provided they come through that there’s a good chance they will be in the squad.”

Then, attention switched to the importance of the game against Southampton, with the coach asked if it is a ‘must-win’ game:

“I thought the Dortmund performance away from home was another step forward but we have a different challenge at the weekend. Satisfied but there’s always room to improve.

“It’s a game we want to win. There’s no point in focusing on four months away. We’re focused on Southampton. We have to be ready for that challenge, to play at home and try to get three points.

“Anything can come at you because they have a caretaker manager and a week to prepare. We have no reference, that’s the challenge. I think there’s a big challenge coming our way.

On whether Aubameyang would be involved, he said: “There’s David Fofana too who is a young player with potential, there are other forwards as well. Pierre remains an important part of his squad, nothing is set in stone, his attitude has been really good.”

Potter also broke his silence on the Mount’s ongoing contract talks, amid

Potter was then quizzed on Chelsea’s ability to create clear-cut chances, something which, as mentioned, has been a key reason for their poor form this season.

“I don’t like to use luck as something to wait for as you can’t control it. Clearly, you need it. The Dortmund game as a positive in terms of chances created. The criticism for us and the fair criticism is that we haven’t attacked as well as I would have liked us to. It was closer.

“We feel there’s progress but you play a game you need to win. There is a lot going on, integrating new players and all of the time playing good opponents. That’s where we’re at.

The interviewers then switched their attention to VAR, which was the source of a lot of controversy last week.

On that, Potter said: “I would like the referee to mostly referee the game. I don’t think it’s easy to be a VAR ref, we’re still in the early stages.

“I’ve got no problem with VAR necessarily. I don’t think I would have had it because I’m a traditionalist. Whatever mistake happens, happens.

“Do we really want every decision to be correct because there’s an element of human error.”

Finally, Potter gave an update on Malo Gusto, who is visiting Cobham today despite being on loan at Lyon, as well as Andrey Santos, who is still trying to get a work permit so he can play for Chelsea.

Potter said: “The club made that decision [on Gusto] but it was a good opportunity to meet him. Santos, he’s is still in the same position, we’re looking at our options.”