Chelsea

Gary Rose, BBC Sport

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly spent big during January, with the £288m outlay eclipsing the £270m spent in the summer, to ensure Potter has the players to push for a top-four finish in the second half of the season.

The biggest of the purchases was Fernandez. The World Cup winner has enjoyed a meteoric rise since moving to Benfica from River Plate for £8.8m last summer and has been bought by Chelsea to strengthen their midfield.

He provided a hint of what is to come from him against Fulham, topping the stats for most touches (59) and most tackles (five) than any other player in the first half, and came as close as anyone to breaking the deadlock with his shot from outside the box in the second half.

Fellow January arrivals Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke and Fofana also featured in the game and while they had varying degrees of impact, Chelsea's long-running issue in front of goal was once again laid bare.

It took the hosts well over an hour to manage a shot on target, with the Blues - who started the game without a traditional striker - falling well short in the final third.

Fofana suggested he could improve that during his short time on the pitch, superbly rounding the goalkeeper late on before his goal-bound effort was cleared by Tim Ream, but they have now scored just two goals in their last six matches - a statistic that needs to improve quickly if they are to move higher up the table.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter to BBC Sport: "There was a lot of excitement and positivity from the start, a good atmosphere. The spirit of the players was really good. They worked hard for each other against an organised team.

"They've been together a while. We’re a different stage of that – players coming back from injury and new players. We needed time to settle everything down. We were missing the connection, fluidity and confidence that comes from knowing each other.

"The decision we took in the window you can see the profile in terms of age. We feel we have a very strong group of players. We have to gel and become a really good team. That’s where the work is.

"It’s working together. When players have been injured they have not been on the training pitch. We have new players with us. It's about getting ideas across and working with the group."

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For the latest round of Premier League predictions, Chris Sutton is up against DJ and Newcastle fan Schak.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

These two sides met a few weeks ago, when new Chelsea signing Joao Felix was sent off on his debut and Fulham won 2-1.

This time? Well, who knows how Chelsea will line up on Friday with all their new signings - including Enzo Fernandez, the £107m man.

Jorginho started their last game, against Liverpool on 21 January, and he has now joined Arsenal. Hakim Ziyech and Conor Gallagher were also in the team at Anfield and they were linked with moves away - especially Ziyech, who thought he was on his way to Paris St-Germain. Surely he won't be involved?

There are so many questions and there is simply no way Blues boss Graham Potter can know what his best team is now. I do like the look of Mykhailo Mudryk, who is incredibly quick, but selling Jorginho is very odd, even with his contract running out in the summer.

All of this makes it very difficult to make a prediction.

Fulham have lost their last two league games, without playing that badly, and with a settled team they should definitely play the more fluid football.

But maybe this is the moment Potter's luck turns and he gets a break for the first time at Stamford Bridge. That's what I'm going with, anyway!

Schak's prediction: Fulham are going to win this one; they are playing really well at the moment. 0-1

Find out how Sutton and Schak think the rest of the games will go and cast your vote here

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle striker Callum Wilson says "individuals don't make a team" but accepts Chelsea will be "a serious threat" after their outlay in the transfer market.

Speaking on the Footballer's Football podcast, Wilson recognised Chelsea's ambition and noted boss Graham Potter's ability to bring the best out of a group.

"They've bought lots of players but individuals don't make a team," he said. "They've gone all out so must feel they need players in lots of positions.

"I'm sure they will be stronger for it as you don't spend that money on such young prospects and all of them be flops.

"It takes time to gel so it might not be this season that we see the best of Chelsea but they will be a serious threat.

"And besides, Potter gets teams playing football."

What do Wilson and co-host Michail Antonio think of Enzo Fernandez?

Listen to the full Chelsea chat from 15'00 on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are waiting to discover if British record signing Enzo Fernandez has clearance to play against Fulham.

England quartet Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Raheem Sterling and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are all fit and available but Joao Felix is still suspended.

Fulham will assess the fitness of deadline day signings Sasa Lukic and Cedric Soares.

Head coach Marco Silva has no new injury concerns, with Neeskens Kebano the only long-term absentee.

Predict the Blues' starting XI

Who will make Fulham's line-up?

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Graham Potter admitted the memory of defeat by Fulham is "still there" as he prepares for the rematch at Stamford Bridge.

It's three weeks since a chastening defeat for the Blues in a game that saw high-profile new signing Joao Felix sent off on his debut and Fulham secure their first win in 18 years over Chelsea.

Potter is likely to blood more of his expensive arrivals in the Stamford Bridge fixture and he says his team have come through a tough period.

"The memory of defeat is still there," said Potter. "It was a low point for us and losing Joao probably summed up the moment we were in.

"It's been about showing strength and togetherness to come through that."

Potter did reserve praise for the Cottagers, who are seventh in the table after being promoted from the Championship last season.

"They have had a fantastic season and they are there on merit," he said. "They deserve the points they have and it will be a tough game.

"We'll see if it's a good thing that we're playing them again so soon. Losing is not a nice memory."

Image source, Getty Images

Enzo Fernandez is "an amazing talent" who will be able to handle the pressure of being a £107m midfielder, says French journalist Julien Laurens.

Chelsea broke the British transfer record on deadline day to sign the Argentina World Cup winner from Benfica and Laurens is confident he will be a success at Stamford Bridge.

"He has the personality to cope with it all," he told the Euro Leagues podcast. "He is an amazing signing - all the signings they have made this month have been great.

"He was very impressive in the Champions League this season, bossing the group games against Paris St-Germain and Juventus. I think he will slot in and show his talent straight away because he would improve any team."

Italian football expert James Horncastle agreed, suggesting observers need to park the price tag when assessing his impact.

"When a club pays that amount of money, you can have unrealistic expectations," he said. "Does that mean they should score or assist in every game?

"You need to leave it to one side. He is a box-to-box midfielder who can score goals, but people on the outside can create expectations that are really difficult to match."

Listen to the full discussion - and an inside look at Hakim Ziyech's failed move to PSG - here on BBC Sounds

Fiorentina were left frustrated by Todd Boehly as the Chelsea owner took it upon himself to try to sign Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, 26, on loan on transfer deadline day. (New York Times via Talksport), external

River Plate are set to receive almost 32m euros (£28m) following 22-year-old Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez's move from Benfica to Chelsea. (Fabrizio Romano via Twitter), external

Meanwhile, Chelsea's homegrown players fear the club will be forced to sell them to avoid Financial Fair Play (FFP) trouble if the Blues miss out on Champions League qualification this season. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's gossip column

Image source, EPA

Ross Mooring, Chelsea Fancast, external

Rating: 9/10

If Chelsea fans thought last summer's transfer window was crazy, the new club owners definitely turned it up to 11 in January.

From signing the classy duo of Joao Felix and central defender Benoit Badiashile, to blockbuster deals for Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez at the last minute, the Blues have now splurged north of £500m in one season.

It was sad to say goodbye to Jorginho, but it has been evident for a while that he does not fit Chelsea's style of play, while the unfortunate Hakim Ziyech was desperate for a move away.

With a 30+ player first-team squad and Champions League qualification almost a must, Graham Potter has a big juggling act to perform to keep everyone happy.

For analysis on all 20 Premier League clubs, read the full piece here

Image source, Getty Images

Graham Potter has wished a "top professional and a top person" after the loss of Chelsea vice-captain Jorginho to Arsenal.

The Italy midfielder switched Stamford Bridge for Emirates Stadium on deadline day in a £12m move that Potter believes was "win, win, win".

"For the four months I have worked with him, he has been fantastic," said Potter.

"His service to the club and what he has achieved has been brilliant."

Jorginho won the Champions League and the Club World Cup in a decorated four-and-a-half year stay at Chelsea, as well as Euro 2020 with his country.

"He is a top professional and a top person," continued Potter. "Sometimes you have a decision to make, with the amount of time left on his contract and the opportunity for him to get more security for his family.

"It was win, win, win for everyone."

Image source, Getty Images

Graham Potter says his side is "ready to attack" the second half of the season after strengthening at great expense in the January transfer window.

Sitting 10th in the table, Potter knows Chelsea's outlay and recent history increases pressure on him to succeed but says he is unfazed and excited by what lies ahead.

"It's not the amount you spend on its own that gets success, it's more than that," he said. "We have got a lot of really good players and we have to create an environment where they push each other, provide healthy competition and are ready to play.

"There will be some awkward conversations but that's the reality of where we are. Only 11 can play, only a certain amount can be in squads so we just need to be honest, transparent and respectful.

"We've learned a lot this season, gained a lot of strength and are ready to attack the second half of the season with positivity."

The Blues have invested in a glut of players under the age of 25 and Potter believes his group can achieve both in the present and moving forward.

"You can see the direction we've gone down and there's a youthful dynamic here," he said. "We are trying to build something for now and for the future."

Asked to reveal which three players would be added to his Champions League squad for the knockout stages, Potter smiled and declined to comment.

Joe Bradshaw, BBC Sport

Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Chelsea's game with Fulham on Friday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He is "relieved" January is over but "very pleased" to finalise Enzo Fernandez's transfer: "He's a fantastic player and a really impressive young man. I'm really excited to work with him."

• Fernandez could make his debut against Fulham but the club need to "go through the paperwork" to ensure he has clearance.

• The size of his squad is not an issue for him: "It's a challenge but I'm certainly not complaining about it. It's exciting. We have to create an environment where there is healthy competition. We've got a lot of important games and we need to improve our results."

• On frustrations players may have over not playing: "We understand that. There will always be those who are disappointed. It's just about being as open, honest, respectful and transparent as you can and then it's down to players to be ready to play."

• Potter believes spending money is no guarantee of success, stating: "Clearly if you spend, then the external noise goes up. But using resources is one thing but you need to be able to align them, make the right decisions and provide the right culture. It's more than just the amount you spend."

• Chelsea will be boosted by the return of key players: "Reece [James], Ben [Chilwell], Raheem [Sterling] and Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] are all training with the squad."

• On Fulham: "It's not a nice memory, losing to them [three weeks ago]. That was a low point for us."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have confirmed Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley will take-up roles as co-sporting directors.

Winstanley joined the club from Brighton in November and oversaw their January transfer window alongside the Chelsea board.

Stewart will join the club next week from AS Monaco, where he has been their technical director since June 2021.

Their main role as co-sporting directors will be to work with head coach Graham Potter and his coaching staff to help support the men's first team.

On the appointment of Winstanley in November, Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali said: "Paul shares our philosophy and will fit seamlessly into the organisation."

When announcing Stewart in October, the co-owner's said: "Laurence is an important appointment as we plan to build a deep sporting team that will collaborate closely."

Image source, Getty Images

New Chelsea signing Enzo Fernandez says he wants to "compete for the biggest trophies" after his switch to Stamford Bridge.

The midfielder was signed for a new British record transfer fee of £107m from Portuguese side Benfica.

Chelsea had tried to agree the deal earlier in the window but it initially fell through and the club were accused of being "disrespectful" in their pursuit of the player.

After his deadline-day move, the Argentina World Cup winner said: "I am grateful to Chelsea and its ownership for doing everything they could to make me a part of this project.

"I’m happy and excited to join the Pride of London, to play in the best league in the world and to compete for the biggest trophies.

"I can’t wait to play in front of our fans and help my team-mates on and off the pitch."

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly, who has spent more than half a billion pounds since his takeover of the club, said of his new signing: "In Enzo we are signing a World Cup-winner and one of the brightest talents in global football.

"We are excited to add him to Graham’s squad and we are sure he will form an important part of our team going forward.

"Enzo has demonstrated his ability at the very highest levels so we’re looking forward to seeing what he will do in Chelsea blue."