“Surprise for us” – Chelsea midfielder reveals players’ reaction to Potter’s appointment

Jorginho reveals how Chelsea players reacted to Graham Potter’s appointment

Speaking in the press conference ahead of the game against RB Salzburg (h/t Football.London), Chelsea midfielder Jorginho revealed how the Chelsea players reacted to the appointment of new manager Graham Potter.

Potter, who is a now former Brighton and Hove Albion boss, was hired as the new Chelsea manager last Thursday, a day after Thomas Tuchel was sacked following the defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

Jorginho, who was one of the key players of the Tuchel reign, revealed that the players were surprised at the appointment, but they are ready to listen to the new manager and help each other understand and win games of football.

Here’s what the Italian international said regarding this topic in the press conference (h/t Football.London):

It was a surprise for us. There is always talking about what happened but now we have games coming and life is quick, so we don’t have much time to stay there thinking. We talk and then we need to concentrate on what we do.

He (Potter) came with an idea and what I was saying before, life is fast. We just have to understand what he expects from us and do what we can do in the best way.

After the postponement of the weekend fixtures due to the death of the Queen, Potter’s first game in charge of Chelsea will be against Salzburg at Stamford Bridge.

Jorginho was also asked whether the players take some responsibility for the sacking of Tuchel. The Euro 2021 winner responded positively saying everyone is responsible for what is happening.

A free weekend would have helped the players understand the new information provided by Potter and his staff. They would take some time before applying every bit of that in games, but time on the training pitch helps.

Responsibilities do lie with the players as well to make this managerial appointment count and start winning games as soon as possible. 10 points from six league games and a defeat in the opening game of the Champions League group stage is not an ideal start to the campaign. Moreover, the performances were well below the standards.

More Chelsea News:

• FA Cup early round replays could be scrapped to accommodate postponed Chelsea games
• Chelsea are tipped to sign Brighton star Leandro Trossard in January
• Chelsea and Manchester United line up a move for Wolves recruitment chief Matt Hobbs

The Salzburg game allows Chelsea as a club to start afresh and positively begin this new era. Then, another free weekend coming up before the international break will help Potter make his ideas clear on the training field.