Joe Cole has sent a warning to Chelsea manager Graham Potter that ‘the challenges will come in the new year’ for the London club.
Potter has enjoyed a good start at Stamford Bridge since he arrived from Brighton in September to replace Thomas Tuchel and is yet to lose any game.
Across his first nine games in charge, Potter has led Chelsea to six wins and three draws across fixtures in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
After Tuesday’s 2-1 victory at Red Bull Salzburg, Chelsea have five more matches before the campaign is put on hold for the World Cup later this year.
Cole, though, believes that things will get harder for Chelsea following their clash with Bournemouth on December 27 when we enter 2023 – with the Blues facing Manchester City and Liverpool in January.
‘He’s come into the club, he’s given everyone a fresh start,’ Cole told BT Sport when quizzed about Potter’s first few matches in charge.
‘Players like Kepa [Arrizabalaga], he’s come into the fold. For me, the first 10 games were the danger for Potter.
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‘It’s a long-term appointment. That’s for sure. Chelsea traditionally go for a big name for immediate success but these new owners, they want to build the club.
‘The first [nine] games, he’s had a look at everyone. He’s made five changes on multiple occasions. He’s brought everyone in, it’s a happy camp at the moment.
‘The challenges will come in the new year, when he gets to the business end [of the season] when he starts to settle on a team.
‘He’s left Mason [Mount] out tonight, the first time he has left him out. He’s looked at different systems.‘But he has done so well with managing the squad in these early stages, while still getting results. That is very difficult.’
