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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Graham Potter's Chelsea plan works vs FC Salzburg but failed summer transfer creates big problem

One of the first questions put to Graham Potter in his post-FC Salzburg press conference was whether the attacking combinations on display in Austria was his his 'style of football'.

"It's not easy to create chances against this team but we did, we created a lot of good chances from good play," Potter responded. "We've had a lot of games and disruption in terms of key players missing, but they've responded really well and to go through in the Champions League, it's a fantastic effort."

Going forward, Chelsea looked superb against Salzburg – like they have on countless occasions already since Potter was appointed head coach. The attacking combinations were very quick and looked smooth. Players were interchanging positions when running forward and it looked exactly like Potter wanted in Austria.

READ MORE: Chelsea player ratings vs FC Salzburg as Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz produce magic

Having attacking players like Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic as the two wing-backs meant the Blues were very offensive on the night but this disrupted the balance somewhat. In recent matches, Chelsea have looked solid at the back and strong going forward – a rare sight for Blues supporters, but at the Red Bull Arena, they looked susceptible to be counter-attacked.

Plenty has been said and written about Jorginho and how he can often be a liability when out of possession. Against Salzburg, the Italian, along with Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher, were effectively bystanders when the hosts were looking to break on Chelsea.

That's not to say Kovacic and Gallagher were bad because they were arguably Chelsea's strongest performers on the evening. In Jorginho, Kovacic and Gallagher, Chelsea have three good midfielders, but none of them are the ball-winner the club have been crying out for, for some time now.

Of course there's a long-standing interest in West Ham United's Declan Rice. football.london understands that a move for the 23-year-old is very much being considered by club officials at Stamford Bridge.

Rice has less than two years remaining on his contract with the Hammers and is understood to be reluctant to extend his stay in east London. Chelsea is Rice's boyhood club, with the midfielder being released as a teenager, but a decade later, a return could be on the cards.

Chelsea also showed a keen interest in Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez in the summer transfer window. The Blues offered the Dutch club around £43million for the Mexico international's services, but the bid was rejected. Alvarez wanted the move to Stamford Bridge but he stayed put at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Whoever Chelsea turn to – something needs to be done. When N'Golo Kante isn't in the midfield running around tirelessly, there seems to be too much space for opposition teams to counter-attack. And, with no disrespect to Salzburg, a stronger team would perhaps have punished Chelsea more on Tuesday evening.

READ NEXT:

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Glenn Hoddle tips Chelsea star for World Cup place as Graham Potter new undroppable emerges

Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea win in Salzburg, Champions League, Pulisic, Havertz

"I have to get out of here" - Callum Hudson-Odoi explains Chelsea move and Thomas Tuchel mistake

Trevoh Chalobah 'identified' as Chelsea transfer target replacement amid Virgil van Dijk claim

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