Graham Potter delivers Chelsea verdict on Steve Cooper and Nottingham Forest

Graham Potter has given his verdict on Steve Cooper and Nottingham Forest ahead of their Premier League game on New Year’s Day.

Chelsea are looking to make it two wins on the bounce in the Premier League as they face a trip up to the City Ground for a clash against Forest on Sunday afternoon.

In their first game back after the World Cup break in Qatar the Blues were victorious as they hosted and defeated AFC Bournemouth 2-0 thanks to first half strikes from Kai Havertz and Mason Mount.

It was a comfortable, but much needed win for Potter and his Chelsea side, who before that had been on a five game winless streak in the Premier League.

The return of Reece James was a welcome sight for the home crowd, but unfortunately it was one that did not end up lasting very long, as he was forced off due to injury in the 52nd minute.

Chelsea will be without their star wing-back for this contest and potentially for the next month, other than this enforced change, Potter may opt for a similar line-up to take on Forest.

While the west London outfit were successful in their first game back from the World Cup break, their opponents for Sunday were not.

Forest suffered a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United, early goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial left them with a mountain to climb, and Fred piled on the misery in the 87th minute with a third.

Despite their poor result, in his pre-match press conference, head coach Potter remained rather cautious and sent praise the way of Forest and Cooper, he said: “You always have to be wary in the Premier League.

“You can’t say it’s the greatest league in the world and then think there are easy games. There aren’t. Forest got a fantastic result against Liverpool before the break and I have huge respect for Steve Cooper and the job he has done there. He is a fantastic coach.”

He continued: “So they’ll be ready and the atmosphere will be hostile I’m sure.

“It’s their first year back in the Premier League for a long, long time and every game – especially Chelsea coming to town – is a big game for them. So they’ll be motivated, have quality, and be fighting for the points. So we have to be ready.”