There was an answer Graham Potter gave when asked about a reliable No.9 not being among Chelsea’s January arrivals that looked even more significant as things developed in the wake of it.
‘We have tried to address it [Chelsea’s scoring issues] in terms of helping the team attack better,’ he began.
‘You can zoom into one position but in the last four or five years teams have won the Premier League without a recognised centre-forward.
‘I understand the point but it is better for the team to attack better, to play better, to create more chances, to be more dangerous in attack and that will solve that problem.’
A day later it emerged that Potter had left his only available, recognised striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of his Champions League squad.
They have scored just 25 goals in 24 games under Graham Potter and continue to be wasteful
They have scored just 25 goals in 24 games under Graham Potter and continue to be wasteful
Perhaps his comments were a hint at what was to come.
Having that trusted taker of chances did not seem totally essential for Potter.
That is his prerogative as Chelsea’s head coach, of course, and the success some teams have had without one a valid justification of the view.
Having opted against addressing that area of his team in the transfer window, what he needs is those players who have then been picked in the absence of Aubameyang to deliver.
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