Graham Potter has insisted his Chelsea side need to focus on themselves on Thursday evening as they welcome Manchester City and Erling Haaland to Stamford Bridge.
Haaland has scored a staggering 21 goals in 15 appearances in the Premier League so far this season in what is his debut campaign in England. Moving from Borussia Dortmund last summer, the 22-year-old striker has defied all expectations and is on course to smash the record-breaking 32 goals in a 38-game season from Mohamed Salah in 2017/18.
Many defences have tried but failed to stop Haaland this season and the latest to try and do so will be Chelsea. The Blues welcome City to Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening, just three days before the two meet again in the third round of the FA Cup.
Whether or not Haaland appears in both games remains to be seen, but a start in west London on Thursday looks likely as he looks to continue his mouthwatering form in front of goal. Potter, though, has insisted his side do not have a specific plan in place to stop the Norwegian, but instead need to remain focused on themselves.
“He’s had a fantastic season and his goals there are amazing,” Potter said on Haaland. “They are a top team but we have to think about ourselves, how we can do better, how we can take steps forward in our game. That is the approach we’ll have.”
The Premier League clash with Man City comes just a few days after Chelsea were held away at struggling Nottingham Forest. The Blues took the lead at the City Ground through Raheem Sterling but Forest levelled the match, deservedly so, with a Serge Aurier equaliser in the second-half.
The mood on social media following the draw has been pretty sombre and the thought of Man City coming to Stamford Bridge on Thursday is one that frightens a few supporters. However, Potter thinks his side can cause the Premier League champions some problems in the capital.
“We have to play well ourselves, that is the key,” the Chelsea head coach said. “Then you have to understand the quality they have and try to stop it. It sounds simple when you condense it down but the reality isn’t so straightforward.
“They are a top team but we can cause them a problem, we can be ourselves and try to play well and put them under pressure. We need to use Stamford Bridge and then see what happens.”
Chelsea are looking to stop Man City winning four consecutive matches against them for the first time in the club’s history. The last time the Blues beat City was that famous night in Porto back in 2021 where Chelsea lifted the Champions League trophy for a second time.
Source: football.london
