17 March 2023 , 15:25
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Graham Potter is still confident Chelsea can win the "f******" Champions League after his team were pitted against Real Madrid.
Chelsea will play the holders in the quarter-finals after Friday's draw. If the Blues beat Real, they will face either Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the last four. Yet Potter insists he is "excited" by the challenge after his X-rated statement the night before.
Potter raised eyebrows at an event on Thursday, when he told fans they will "try to win the f****** Champions League". Despite the draw, he remains determined to become the first Englishman to lift the European Cup since Joe Fagan with Liverpool in 1984.
Potter was speaking to the press ahead of Chelsea's game against Everton on Saturday. "The feeling is excitement," he said. "I’ve said we will try to win the Champions League and that’s the same for the other seven clubs in the draw I’m sure."
Yet Potter wants to focus on Chelsea's league campaign for now. He added, "We will focus on Real Madrid when we get there but at the moment our thoughts are on tomorrow and Everton. I’d rather focus on Everton because the other stuff is a long way away."
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The first leg of Chelsea's tie with Real will take place at the Bernabeu on April 11. Before then, the Blues have important Premier League fixtures against Everton, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Wolves. It is imperative they continue their good run.
Graham Potter's side will need to overcome Real Madrid in the quarter-finals (AP)Do you think Chelsea will beat Real Madrid and win the Champions League? Let us know in the comments below!
Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League - 11 points behind Tottenham in fourth with a game in hand - and are in danger of missing out on European football next season. Potter's job will be at risk if results do not improve sooner rather than later.
The good news for Chelsea is they have won three consecutive games in all competitions after beating Leeds and Leicester in the Premier League and knocking Borussia Dortmund out of Europe. Potter will be keen to keep their good form intact.
Chelsea's Champions League draw means they will face three of their former stars in Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard and Antonio Rudiger. It will be the first time Rudiger has faced his former employers since leaving Stamford Bridge on a free transfer last summer.
"This will be very special," tweeted Germany international Rudiger after the draw was made. "Can't wait to see many friends again."
Potter's X-rated bomb on Thursday was enjoyed by those fans in attendance and supporters on social media. He said, "Firstly, thank you because they’ve been incredibly fair with us, they’ve stuck with the team, the support we’ve had has been amazing.
"And we’ll need them in Saturday - we’ll try and beat Everton and then we’ll take the draw, and then we’ll try and win the f****** Champions League!"