Chelsea boss Potter supports medical staff overhaul: Injuries not due to bad luck

Football
15 Oct 2022 • 7:57 AM MYT
Tribal Football
Tribal Football

Tribal Football covers news from the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A

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Chelsea boss Graham Potter says their injury problems have needed to be addressed.

Steps have been taken by chairman and co-owner Todd Boehly in recent weeks to overhaul the club's medical department. Respected medical director Dr. Paco Biosca departed last month, as did long-serving head physio Thierry Laurent.

"I don't think you should blame everything on luck that's for sure," Potter said when asked about the Blues' injury record.

"I think we can have a look and see what we can do better. Obviously, I've been here a few weeks so I haven't got the answers completely. But clearly, we want to always try to improve and that's an area that we can probably improve."

Injuries suffered by Wesley Fofana and Reece James occurred in-game.

"His [James] performances on the pitch are a realisation of how high his ceiling can be," Potter explained. "I think, yes, he is that type of player with the world-class attributes he has got and the way he defends with [Wilfried] Zaha and the way he defended [Rafeal] with Leao in both games against Milan is a high, high level and he contributes in the attacking phase as well. He is a top, top player."

Potter continued: "It would be wrong to say we won't miss a player like Reece or NG [Kante] – Wesley Fofana as well. But that's the job of the squad, my challenge is to find different solutions. We haven't got another Reece James or another N'Golo Kante. You've got to find a different way of working in the team. Tactically, that's a challenge but one we are up for."