"You will lose that match" - Pundit advises Graham Potter to not start 2 Chelsea stars together in Premier League games
Chelsea's new manager Graham Potter has been advised not to start two of his defenders together in the Premier League. Football pundit Andy Jacobs has told the former Brighton manager not to put Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta together on the pitch. He said it after the Blues' 1-1 draw against Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Potter decided to field two of his senior defenders against RB Salzburg over younger and quicker options like Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly. However, the two senior players failed to deliver on the expected lines as their mistakes cost the team dearly.
"The worst Chelsea squad for 20 years."
"How many managers will Havertz get sacked?! Auba knows how Lukaku feels."
Andy Jacobs believes Graham Potter has a serious job on his hands at #CFC. https://t.co/4PUtwdQn27
The Brazilian failed with his attempted challenge in the build-up to Salzburg’s goal, while the scorer inside the box outmaneuvered Azpilicueta. Chelsea are yet to register their first win in the Champions League this season. They lost their opening match against Dinamo Zagreb following which the club decided to part ways with their former manager Thomas Tuchel.
The spoils are shared this evening.
@WhaleFinApp | #UCL https://t.co/dAdE2W3RbF
Fans and football pundits, including Jacobs, questioned Potter's strategy with the inclusion of Silva and Azpilicueta for the Champions League match.
Speaking to TalkSPORT, Jacobs advised Potter not to start Silva and Azpilicueta in his next match to avoid losing the game. He said:
“If you play Thiago Silva and Azpilicueta together in a Premier League game, you will lose that match.''
Chelsea spent close to £300 million to bring in reinforcements in the summer transfer window after several big players left the club. However, the club had a shaky start to the season and Tuchel paid a heavy cost for it.
Soon after Tuchel was sacked, Potter was announced as his replacement. The former Brighton &Hove Albion manager has only taken charge of one game and the challenges have been thrown at him since Day 1. Potter will have to find his perfect starting XI soon to stabilize the ship and improve the club's position in the table. Chelsea remain seventh in the Premier League.
AC Milan director Paolo Maldini confirms new contract for Chelsea target Rafael Leao
Chelsea's pursuit of Portuguese youth sensation Rafael Leao has hit a roadblock. AC Milan director Paolo Maldini has confirmed that a new contract will soon be offered to Leao.
#ACMilan 
AC Milan director Paolo Maldini tells Sky: "We're now in talks to extend the contracts of Ismael Bennacer, Pierre Kalulu and Rafa Leão. We want them to stay, it's also up to the players". 🔴⚫️ #ACMilan
"We turned down Chelsea verbal bid for Leão", Maldini has confirmed. https://t.co/yn387kl8cC
Leao has two years left on his contract with the Serie A giants. He is most likely to stay at AC Milan despite serious interest from many big European clubs, including Chelsea.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Maldini confirmed preparations for a new contract for three of their players, including Leao. He said, via Fabrizio Romano:
"We're now in talks to extend the contracts of Ismael Bennacer, Pierre Kalulu and Rafa Leão. We want them to stay, it's also up to the players".