Chelsea interim boss Bruno Saltor has hailed N’Golo Kante’s performance and the displays of three more players despite their frustrating goalless draw against Liverpool on Tuesday. The Blues squandered several golden chances in the game and had two goals disallowed by VAR, but in his first game in charge since Graham Potter’s sacking, Bruno saluted his side’s performance against Jurgen Klopp’s men.
N’Golo Kante made his first start in seven months after recovering from several injury problems and produced a stellar midfield performance. Likewise, the back three Bruno selected looked inpenetrable at times – a huge improvement from their display against Aston Villa.
Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella all rarely put a foot wrong and, despite their attacking issues costing them a priceless victory, Saltor took the positives by highlighting Kante’s performance, as well as the defensive trio.
“We left Liverpool without anything [up front]. They put their bodies on the line, I’m really happy with back three,” Saltor told BBC Sport. “We had players on Ramadan, some back from injury. N’Golo Kante is incredible. His performances are good, he’s outstanding. He’s a leader with his performances.”
Chelsea have only scored 29 goals in as many games this season, their lowest tally at this stage for 45 years, and their inability to hit the back of the net troubled them again at Stamford Bridge. Kai Havertz and Reece James both had goals disallowed after tight VAR calls, while the former was guilty of several misses and Mateo Kovacic too squandered a golden chance to break the deadlock.
But Saltor insists their moment will come after watching his side somehow fail to take all three points home in his first game in management.
“We created chances. We scored, offside,” the 42-year-old said. “It will come to the boys because they deserve it.”
He later added: “We created enough chances to win the game. It’s [a matter of] execution. The chances, the boys gave everything, they gave their heart and you can’t ask for more.
“I’m going back home to rest and focus on the next game. We will just focus on every day. The boys are giving their best.
Asked what effect Potter’s sacking has had on him and the players, Bruno admitted the 47-year-old’s departure has been felt greatly at the west London club:
“It’s been hard, we are very close friends [with Graham Potter]. It’s difficult to stand here without him but I’m trying my best. It’s difficult to enjoy this type of experience because you’re really focused on the game. I tried to help the players from the touchline as much as I could.
“After what happened on Sunday, yesterday we had a recovery session. I tried to spend time with the players and talk to them. I thought they gave everything. It’s been a really hard season. They’re human beings, we have to help them.”
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