The new Chelsea manager, who previously served as head coach for both Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, conducted his first press conference at Cobham last week. He immediately highlighted his positive outlook on the club, declaring Chelsea possesses "great potential" and "a strong base" within its current setup. This initial assessment suggests a belief in the existing squad's capabilities, despite recent challenges.

A notable revelation from the conference involved winger Alejandro Garnacho, with the manager explicitly stating that Garnacho does not feature in his immediate plans. This decisive stance on a specific player signals a clear direction for squad composition under the new leadership. The manager's experience at top European clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid brings a wealth of tactical knowledge and high-level management expertise to Stamford Bridge, setting expectations for a new era at Chelsea.