Chelsea Revolution
British record-breaking hiring of Enzo Fernandez might make his Stamford Bridge debut in the west London derby after selling for €121m ($132m). Mykhailo Mudryk is also facing his first start since joining Shakhtar Donetsk in a hugely successful January transfer window for the club for a fee that could climb to €100m.
Chelsea’s total spending in his first season is below New ownership, led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly, has now passed £500m but the Blues languish in 10th place in the Premier League table, 10 points inside the top four.
Potter admits it was a challenge for him to keep all his stars happy while trying to turn the tide of Chelsea. “We need to create an environment where there is healthy competition and they can push each other,” Potter said Thursday. “There will be moments of frustration because only 11 can play. “But we have a lot of big games and we need to improve our results, so it’s about playing, supporting the team, and being ready.
Marco Silva’s Fulham won over Chelsea for the first time since 2006.The full-backs met at Craven Cottage last month, to move ahead of their illustrious neighbour’s by points in the table.
Another win for the white half of West London would secure the Premier League double against Chelsea in a single season. The Gunners are hoping their January deal will be enough to get them over the line despite missing their first two targets – Brighton’s Mudryk and Moises Caicedo.
The entry of Jorginho from Chelsea this week brings depth and an old head to Mikel Arteta’s young side. While Leandro Trossard expands their attacking options. Burnley manager Sean Dyche knows he has a mountain to climb.
Guardiola’s Cancelo culture
Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola showed his ruthless streak when Joao Cancelo was loaned to Bayern Munich this week. The Portuguese full-back has been a key figure in City’s title-winning campaigns for the past two seasons, but his departure is further evidence that Guardiola is trying to provoke a reaction from his side. He wondered if his team had the hunger to chase Arsenal 4-2 down despite a dramatic 2-0 comeback against Tottenham last month.
Now Guardiola has taken a risk, knowing his bold signing of Cancelo leaves him short of full-back options for the remainder of the season. The city could be eight points behind the leaders, who could be without him, ahead of Sunday’s game against Spurs, coach Antonio Conte after he had surgery to remove his gallbladder., but they can win titles and an enviable strength at depth.
Matches (all times GMT)
Friday
Chelsea – Fulham (20:00)
Saturday
Everton – Arsenal (12:30), Aston Villa – Leicester, Brentford – Southampton, Brighton – Bournemouth, Man Utd. – Crystal Palace, Wolves – Liverpool (all 15:00), Newcastle’s West Ham (17:30)
Sunday Nottingham Forest vs Leeds (14:00), Tottenham v Man City (16:30)
