The January transfer window closed on Tuesday evening to bring to an end a busy period of activity for Chelsea, with several new players being added to Graham Potter's squad over the last month.

Our head coach discussed what it means for his team moving forward, the club's strategy around those signings and how he plans to keep his large squad united.

'It’s exciting,' said Potter. 'It’s a test for me of course and for the staff and everybody but it’s an exciting one. We’ve got a lot of really good players.

'We have to create an environment where there’s healthy competition and they can push each other and at the same time understand that there’s going to be frustration at times because only 11 can play. But we’ve got a lot of important games and we need to improve our results so it’s about playing, supporting the team and being ready to play.

'There’s a youthful dynamic there. You can see the direction we’ve gone down in terms of the type of player we’ve tried to sign. We’re trying to build something for the now and for the future. It’s always about how they help the ones that are here as well and how we lift performance.

'We’ve had a pretty unprecedented injury situation here to deal with as well, so lots of things have happened. We hope that we’ve learned a lot from that period, gained a lot of strength from that period and we can attack the second half of the season with positivity and I’m looking forward to it.'

Chelsea vs Fulham James, Chilwell, Sterling and Loftus-Cheek injury update

Potter also provided the latest on that daunting list of injuries he has been dealing with recently, with some good news on the horizon.

He confirmed four players are now ready to return to action against Fulham, with more to hopefully follow soon, as well as confirming that Hakim Ziyech will be available for selection at Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening.

'We’ve got Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Raheem Sterling and Ruben Loftus-Cheek back in the squad,' he added. 'They’re not ready for 90 minutes but certainly in the squad.

'Wesley Fofana’s been training partly with the team and he’ll be stepping that up next week.

'And then we’re still without Denis Zakaria, Christian Pulisic, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Armando Broja.'

Jorginho's departure

One player Potter will be without is Jorginho, after the midfielder left Chelsea for Arsenal on transfer deadline day. Our head coach paid tribute to the Italian international's contribution during his time at the Bridge while explaining why the move was the best outcome for all involved.

'For the four months I’ve worked with him he’s been fantastic, a great person. I think when you look at his service to this club it’s been brilliant what he’s achieved.

'Sometimes you have to make a decision as a football club with the contract situation that he had to secure something a little bit more for him and his family. It was one of those situations that was a bit of a win, win, win and obviously from my perspective I wish him well. He’s a top professional and a top person.'

Chelsea vs Fulham injury list

Edouard Mendy remains unavailable after undergoing surgery on a fractured finger last month.

Fulham are expected to be without one player, long-term absentee Neeskens Kebano, due to the ruptured Achilles he suffered last year.

Chelsea vs Fulham suspension

Joao Felix will miss the match as he serves the last game of his suspension for the red card received in the away fixture at Fulham. There are no suspensions for Fulham.

As the deadline has passed, no Chelsea player can now be suspended for reaching five yellow cards this season. Players who accumulate 10 yellow cards in Premier League matches up to and including our 32nd fixture will serve a two-match suspension in the competition.

Premier League booking list
Jorginho 4, Azpilicueta 3, Chalobah 3, Gallagher 3, Havertz 3, James 3, Koulibaly 3, Kovacic 3, Mount 3, Sterling 3, Cucurella 2, Aubameyang 1, Chilwell 1, Hall 1, Loftus-Cheek 1, Mendy 1, Pulisic 1, Thiago Silva 1

Chelsea vs Fulham referee and VAR

Referee: Stuart Attwell
VAR: Michael Salisbury

Stuart Attwell’s two Chelsea games this season were at Leeds United and at home to Manchester United.

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