Graham Potter has noted that in an 'ideal world' that Chelsea may not look look to sell to their rivals but admitted that the Blues can only focus on making the best decision for the club. The west London side are set for an active summer in the transfer market with many players expected to leave and a number of decisions expected on players entering the final year of their contracts.
The Blues currently have a squad of 31 senior players with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana and Noni Madueke unable to be named in Chelsea's Champions League squad. A number of players are required to miss out on each Premier League matchday squad too.
While Potter has enjoyed working with such a large group, on Friday, he conceded that it is not an optimal size of squad. The former Brighton boss noted players will have to depart and that was normal in football.
READ MORE: Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea, Anthony Barry, Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante, injury news
He said: "That’s the challenge that we have. It is a big squad, a deep squad, a squad with a lot, a lot of players. It has been a challenge to manage them but it has not been a negative challenge from my perspective. They have been amazing, I would say, with the situation and how professional, how together they’ve been, how supportive they have been of each other. That’s something that I can only be positive about.
"Regardless of the ifs [of qualifying for Europe], the number of the squad is not optimal regardless of whatever competition we are in. I think everybody would suggest that’s correct. I think that’s a normal part of a football club’s business at the end of the season, different things happen, people move on. It might be because a player needs more gametime or something else but that’s not something I can report on now."
With the profile of Chelsea's star and the finances involved in such transfer it would be not be unfair to suggest there are limited destinations for many players. That could see the Blues sell to their rivals, though other destinations would be preferred.
Potter added: "You think about an ideal world but it's never an ideal world and you have to deal with what you have to deal with in the summer, make your decisions, do your business like everyone else does and accept that you’ve got to do what’s right for this football club and not worry about anyone else. Just do what you need to do."
Concerns over selling to rivals have risen amid Liverpool's interest in Mason Mount, while Bayern Munich have also been linked to the Blues star in addition to Mateo Kovacic. The duo are both currently set to see the currents expire in 2024 with the former seemingly at an impasse and the latter yet to open talks over a new deal.
Potter spoke highly of Mount and outlined that his opinion will have little impact on the result of any negotiations between the Cobham product and the club.
The 47-year-old said: "These things are really complicated because it’s not necessarily about my opinion, it’s also the player, the club, lots of things that I’m not in control of. All I can do is give my opinion of him as a footballer and as a person and I have nothing but positive things to say about Mason as a lad. He has been brilliant with us, really supportive, but it’s also between him and the club about how they can sort out the situation"
Potter appeared relaxed at the suggestion that Kovacic was yet to be in talks with the club and highlighted how Kovacic has been 'stepping up' in recent weeks and proved valuable in his leadership. His verdict was similarly as glowing as it was for Mount.
He said: "Again, I think the club has conversation with players all of the time, it doesn't necessarily mean it's public. These things happen behind the scenes and when we've got something to report, we can report it.
"Again, similar to Mason, someone who I've got huge respect for as a person. He's been great with us, very supportive. He plays a role in the team and has been captain the last few games as well. From my perspective he's important but again it's also between Mateo and the club to talk and when they have something to announce I'm sure they'll announce it."
A forgotten figure whose future is set to be in the air remains Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian forward in many ways seems destined not to return to Stamford Bridge following his Inter Milan loan but still has a contract set to run until 2026.
Potter achnowledged he admired the forward and suggested a decision would be made in the summer over his future.
He said: "At the moment, he's not our player but he is our player. He's on loan at another club and I think it's important that he finishes that off and finishes the season well. Then we have a decision to make in the summer. He's someone that I admire a lot, I like a lot but again it's something we have to talk about in the summer."
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