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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Bruno Saltor defends misfiring Chelsea forwards: ‘They score goals in training!’

Interim Chelsea manager Bruno Saltor has defended his profligate forwards Kai Havertz and Joao Felix, insisting he "could not ask for more" after a frustrating goalless draw against Liverpool.

Bruno was taking charge of the Blues just two days after Graham Potter was sacked, and taking on a Liverpool team also enduring a nightmare season. Potter's spell was dogged with a lack of goals, and there was little on show last night to suggest much had changed.

Both Reece James and Kai Havertz did score, but both were ruled out by VAR - first for offside and then handball - but Bruno was keen to be positive after the game.

"We created enough chances to win the game," he said. "Two goals disallowed. The boys gave everything, they played with their heart. You can't ask for more. It's execution. They're in front of the goal. They're human beings. The confidence has to be there.

"Sometimes when one (chance is missed, others) after is a consequence. We just need to keep helping the boys. They've been going through a lot as well. It's been a tough season for them.

"I know they miss chances. But what they could affect the most was the attitude and the effort, and that was there. They score a lot of goals in training. But coming to a game is completely different.

"It's been really difficult for them. It's not the first time they been in this situation this season. As a player you invest a lot in the manager. There's been good relationships with Graham and the players. The players have suffered as well."

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