Chelsea’s game against Red Bull Salzburg was an odd one. There was a new manager in place, picking his first team, but also knowing that it was the last game before an exceptionally long break.
His priority was ensuring that he has the full buy-in from all of his squad for the weeks on the training ground to come, and there would have been no better way to do that than with a comfortable win. He didn’t get that, although there was plenty of effort and more attacking energy on display than in the final weeks of Thomas Tuchel’s time at the club.
It also possibly explains some of his selections. Picking Jorginho and Cesar Azpilicueta was not what most fans would have done, and certainly not what Tuchel would have done.
But for Potter, getting the senior players onside is clearly as important as picking up three points. Even if he now drops them, he’s given a nod to their status.
