Following Chelsea manager Graham Potter’s use of over £220 million in January transfer buys against Fulham, Daily Star Sport examines everything he got right and wrong in the 0-0 draw.
Potter made some huge decisions before and during the game (Image: Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Fulham held Chelsea to a hard fought 0-0 draw to put a dampener on Enzo Fernandez’s home debut as the Blues failed to score despite Todd Boehly spending £323m in January.
£106million World Cup winner Fernandez was handed his first team debut by Graham Potter, despite joining the club on Transfer deadline day. He almost capped a very promising debut with a rasping 30 yard effort which was a matter of inches away from finding the top corner. On an evening of debutants for the Blues, one of the old boys Kai Havertz came closest to finding the net when his lobbed finish hit the inside of the crossbar in the first half.
While all eyes were on Fernandez and Mykhaily Mudryk, David Datro Fofana thought he had won the game in the second half when he expertly rounded Bernd Leno, dipped inside a Fulham defender and prodded the ball goal-bound, but his effort was cleared off the line by Tim Ream. This was a breathless, physical, and intense battle which deserved plenty of goals, but came across none. Daily Star Sport considers what Potter got wrong and right.
Enzo Fernandez’s full debut
There was a moment in the eighth minute when Fernandez carelessly gave the ball away and started a Fulham counter attack – within five seconds, he had won the ball back. That was one of the very rare occasions Enzo carelessly lost the ball.
Fernandez had a few nervy moments, but he looked to be an unflappable character overall
Considering the pressure, the lack of training, and the fact he has not even spent a week in England, he handled the occasion brilliantly. Fulham’s players took turns having little digs at the Argentine, but he was unflappable in their attempts to wind him up.
His distribution, composure, and ability to always find space in the most congested of areas will surely make him a pivotal component of Potter’s midfield. And just when you thought you had seen everything he can offer, he came within inches of finding the far corner with a 30 yard effort. It is too soon to confirm he is worth the British transfer fee Chelsea shelled out but the signs look positive.
Reece James return
Chelsea fans were buzzing to see James back in action
With Fernandez and Mudryk being handed home debuts, Reece James’ return from injury almost went under the radar. The Englishman has endured an injury ravaged few months, yet he was deployed straight into the first eleven.
At times, the lack of sharpness was evident particularly in the first half. when Antonee Robinson drove past him on the outside. However, he did grow into the game and his 60th minute substitution showed that the Chelsea boss does want to manage his minutes.
Mudryk home debut
Mudryk struggled in his first start for the Blues
Chelsea fans were teased with a brief cameo of the Ukrainian’s frightening pace during their 0-0 draw against Liverpool. However, Mudryk took a little while to get himself into the contest. A few under-hit or inaccurate passes failed to find him when he was building up a head of steam in behind the Fulham defence.
What is absolutely unquestionable is his sharpness. He very quickly goes up the gears once he sees space to run into. However, he is not quite on the same wave length as his new teammates and that was obvious in the first half.
He appears to have all the attributes, but it may have been too early for him to be placed into the starting eleven. Potter appeared to agree as he decided to hook the Ukrainian off at half-time – there did not appear to be any injury.
Mount and Gallagher midfield
Mount was pipped against Palhinha in a very physical midfield battle (Image: Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
When Gareth Southgate deployed Mount and Gallagher in the same midfield against Switzerland in March 2022, the England manager admitted the duo did have their vulnerabilities when played together. ‘But we know that that system can leave you a bit vulnerable to the switches to the opposite full-back and the Swiss worked that out very well – which is why we made the change of shape in the second half,” Southgate said after the match.
Undeterred, Potter deployed the academy duo either side of Fernandez in the midfield. Their energy and pressing ability is better than most, yet Southgate’s fears did appear to come true at times.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Conor Gallagher of Chelsea battles for possession with Willian of Fulham during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Fulham FC at Stamford Bridge on February 03, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Potter likes his midfielders to press opposition defenders high up the pitch, but this demand comes with its risks, particularly when they are up against ball playing midfielders who know how to thread a pass through a midfield.
If Potter has ambitions of deploying the pair together with Fernandez on a regular basis, he will have to stress test the duo on the training ground.
source: www.dailystar.co.uk
