Mount missed the previous four Chelsea games and two England matches while it was a contrasting international break for Kovacic who scored both goals in Croatia’s win in Turkey on Tuesday. The midfielder overcame injury difficulties himself earlier in the season.

Beginning with Mount and his contract situation, the Blues head coach had this to say:

‘These things are really complicated. It's not necessarily about my opinion, it's also the player, it’s about the club. It's about 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. 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 in terms of how they can sort out the situation.

‘Mateo is similar to Mason,’ Potter added. ‘He is someone I have a huge respect for as a person. He’s been great with us, very supportive, he plays a role in the team and has been the captain the last few games as well.

‘So from my perspective he is important but again, it's also between Mateo and the club to talk and when they have something to announce, I am sure they will announce it.

‘I think the club has conversations with players all the time. It just 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.’

Kovacic was able to start the last four Chelsea games before his two outings in his nation’s Euro 2024 qualifiers. Moving onto the midfielder’s physical condition, Potter said:

‘He had a tough pre-World Cup because he had a bit of an ongoing knee issue that he's been nursing and getting through pretty much all season. So that's been a challenge for him. But the way he's handled himself has been absolutely fantastic.

‘He's done the work behind the scenes to be available all the time, play the World Cup, and I think the World Cup was maybe a great experience for him and a break from everything.

‘He has come back in a really good way and the last couple of weeks, he's really stepping up and showing his quality, showing his leadership, and he has turned into a goal-machine during the international break so that is good for us.’