Chelsea boss Potter gives Silva injury timeframe; addresses his future and Mount contract

Joe Williams
Chelsea boss Graham Potter shouts instructions to his team

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has revealed that Thiago Silva will be missing for around six weeks after damaging ligaments in his knee.

The Brazil international was forced off in their 2-0 loss to Tottenham over the weekend and initial reports claimed he would be out for around six weeks.

And Potter has now confirmed that while providing updates on a number of other players ahead of their Premier League match against Leeds United on Saturday.

Potter told reporters on Friday (via BBC Sport): “Thiago Silva is six weeks, not sure. [Edouard] Mendy not training with group. N’Golo [Kante] had first full training today. He still needs time. Mason [Mount] had a problem with his lower abdomen. He will miss the game tomorrow – it’s too soon tomorrow.

“Reece [James] is doubtful for tomorrow as well. Azpi [Cesar Azpilicueta] has made progress but he’s not through the protocols after an injury like that.”

On Mason Mount’s contract situation, Potter added: “Mason for us has been great – he’s top to work with. He is suffering like rest of us and wants to do better, have better results.

“His contract is between him and the club.”

On working with players like Mount, Potter continued: “My job is to help players improve and we’re not doing that as well as we would like.

“I’m not thinking about the summer, just tomorrow’s match, preparing the team, helping the team to better results and performances and responding to bad moments that we’re in.”

Potter has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks with Chelsea winning just one of their last 11 matches in the Premier League and in danger of slipping into the bottom half of the table.

On his position at Chelsea, Potter said: “My position is I need to focus on the next game. Whatever the discussions are over the longer term, my focus is on tomorrow’s match. We understand the moment we’re in, where we are and we need to improve.

“We’re a club with ambition and desire to compete at the top. At the moment we’re not and we have to address that. That starts tomorrow [against Leeds].”

In a message to the fans, Potter said: “The fans care, it’s an emotion, however that comes out is understandable. We’re hurting as well but also know they are.

“We thank them for their support because it’s been there completely. When you lose 1 0 at home to the bottom of league you expect disappointment. I have no complaints about the supporters – they have been fair and supportive. We haven’t given them enough to be excited.”

Asked what Chelsea will be doing differently to beat Leeds, Potter added: “The most important thing is that Chelsea can win tomorrow. It’s an easier thing to say, just do something else and win. We could end up losing twice.

“That’s the beauty of football – the game is so difficult to control. We have to fight for results, stick together and work hard. That’s what we’ve been doing, we give it our best and we try to win.”

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