Graham Potter press conference: Zakaria future; Kepa vs Mendy; Brentford team news
By Tom Gott
Graham Potter has addressed the media ahead of Chelsea's meeting with Brentford on Wednesday.
The Blues are looking to make it six straight victories and secure a fifth consecutive clean sheet, but will have to see off a Brentford side who thumped Chelsea 4-1 towards the end of last season and were more than a little unfortunate not to do the double over Thomas Tuchel's side.
Here's the highlights of Potter's press conference.
Team news
What's the latest team news?
"It's as we were, no problems from the weekend."
How is Thiago Silva after playing against Aston Villa at the weekend?
"It’s obviously 24/48 hours [since Aston Villa] so we need to make sure the recovery is right for him. But no problems injury-wise, it is just the recovery."
How will you manage Silva's fitness?
"I have to involve him in the conversations, he is 38 years old and is a man who knows himself better than I do. He’s a really important person, a really important player for us, but we have to manage him correctly and he has to be involved in that process."
Mason Mount
What's it like working with Mount?
"It's a joy. He's a fantastic person, he loves to play football and he loves the club here. It's surprising, though, that I get a few questions about there being to be mixed opinions on Mason. I find that strange, especially from the outside and then when you start to work with him, he's got everything you need to be a top, top player. Great attitude, understands spaces, can execute assists, scores goals, so he's top."
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Is Kepa the first-choice goalkeeper?
"I always think it's better to let football decide and Kepa has done really well. He has been supported fantastically by Edou [Edouard Mendy] and Bets [Marcus Bettinelli] and they've provided good competition.
"But Kepa's form is really pleasing for everybody, especially him. So it's nice we've got competition in that area because we need that in the team. We need to push each other and it's how players get better."
Your goalkeeper coach, Ben Roberts, is he a special one?
"We think so, it’s why we brought him with us. He did fantastically at Brighton with Rob and he is a good guy, good around the group, and he works the keepers really well. He creates a nice environment for them to push themselves, enjoy their football and be stimulated. He is an important member of the staff."
How big is it for Kepa to have bounced back?
"He's a human being, a player, and they want to play and contribute. And he's doing that, so it's brilliant for him. It's a nice example for everybody that it doesn't always go your way and you have to suffer in life sometimes. It’s not always ideal and perfect.
"But I must admit, I've been really impressed with his character and personality, he's very professional, understands the game really well, takes responsibility. So it's nice when those types of people get the rewards, which is a reward of their hard work and effort."
Denis Zakaria
Is there an update on Zakaria's future following reports his loan could be cut short in January?
"There is no decision been made at all on that. Denis is in the group and has been training well. He is ready to help the team but there is competition for places in that area. He is an important member of the team and is patent and trying to help the team from the side at the moment. He is waiting for his chance."
Brentford
What are you expecting from Brentford?
"That’s the beauty of football, you can never predict. I think Brentford are really good at what they do and Thomas [Frank] has done a fantastic job there. They use the quality of their players well, have limited resources compared to everybody in the Premier League but make the most of what they have. That is credit to Thomas and his staff and the players at Brentford. I am always impressed with the job they do. They use Ivan Toney well but it’s not just that, they attack with clarity and defend with aggression and organisation. They are a tough team to play against."
How highly do you rate Thomas Frank?
"Very, very. I’ve followed his career since I’ve come back to the UK and I knew him in Sweden as well. I know him well, I like him as a person and we have similar thoughts about the game and life in general. I think coaches are judged by how much they get out of the players, how much the organise a team, how the results are in comparison to the expectation of those results, and he does a fantastic job."