Chelsea boss Graham Potter looking to move on from ‘really extreme period’

Chelsea manager Graham Potter says he has endured a “really extreme period” since joining the club from Brighton.

Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel in September and was new owner Todd Boehly’s first managerial appointment.

Chelsea currently sit ninth in the Premier League and have won none of their last five games, with their match against Bournemouth on Tuesday night a chance to move up to seventh.

Potter, weighing up the chance of adding to his squad in January, told Amazon Prime: “It was a really extreme period that we walked into in terms of the games that we had after the transfer window and the amount of games in the small space, we lost key players injured.

“So it’s tricky to judge the players at the moment and the squad because of the situation we’ve had.

“But you’re always looking to try and improve.”

One player that Chelsea missed was England international full-back Reece James, and he is now fit again and in the starting XI against the Cherries.

Potter said of the chance to bring him back to first-team action: “It’s brilliant. He’s a top, top player and we’ve missed him for sure. And although we’ve got a lot of good players. Reece is, you know, it’s a high level. So any team would miss him.

“It’s been a challenge but that’s what you’d expect at this level.”

Chelsea have seen injury concerns beyond just James, with defender Wesley Fofana and midfielder Mateo Kovacic both struggling.

There is also growing concern for N’Golo Kante’s long-term future, not just at Stamford Bridge but in terms of his professional career.

The France international missed the Qatar World Cup due to injury, and has played just twice for Chelsea this season.

He is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a chance to join up with Cristiano Ronaldo, as both players are rumoured to be targets of Saudi Arabian League side Al Nassr.