Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly believes interim boss Frank Lampard is the appropriate man to steer the membership out of a “troublesome state of affairs”.
The Blues are eleventh within the Premier League and face Actual Madrid within the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with the primary leg on Wednesday.
However Koulibaly mentioned they’re aiming to “obtain one thing large this yr”.
Lampard is Chelsea’s all-time main scorer and received three league titles and the 2012 Champions League throughout his 13 years as a participant, earlier than taking on from 2019-2021.
And Senegal captain Koulibaly, 31, informed BBC Sport: “We all know he is a legend right here and he is already educated half the group.
“The state of affairs is like this for the second, however in coaching he mentioned that he’ll help us till the top and assist us to get out of this case.
“We all know it’s a troublesome state of affairs for everybody, together with the membership, the supervisor and the supporters, however we are going to give every little thing to return out of this and make them glad.
“Our first purpose is to win video games and make our supporters glad.”
Former Brighton boss Potter was sacked on April 2 after lower than seven months in cost and having spent £550m on new gamers this season.
Requested if the Englishman Potter will return to a giant job quickly, Koulibaly, who joined from Napoli final summer time, replied: “I believe so. He is an efficient supervisor, a great individual and he has helped me loads.
“It is true that I had troublesome moments after I got here right here to Chelsea, however his employees was actually vital they usually helped us loads. I really feel sorry for him, however it’s a part of the job.
“I hope he may have an awesome future, however proper now we’re all centered on Chelsea and Frank Lampard.”
“Superb” for video games on break for Muslim gamers
Koulibaly not too long ago spent a night at his native mosque speaking to these attending the Open Iftar – breaking the quick – at Stamford Bridge final month, the primary such occasion to be held in a Premier League stadium.
The membership has three different Muslim gamers within the first group – Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante and Hakim Ziyech – who Koulibaly says “discuss Islam collectively” as a result of, for him, his faith is “every little thing”.
The quartet is at the moment observing Ramadan, together with fasting throughout daylight, and their The Premier League match in opposition to Liverpool has been suspended final week so the Muslim gamers in motion got the chance to strengthen.
He mentioned: “Throughout Ramadan, teammates see us praying and ask what we’re doing. More often than not they assume Ramadan shouldn’t be about consuming or consuming, however it’s greater than that.
“It is about understanding what we learn within the Quran, faith, our conduct and even our prophet Muhammad. We’ve to elucidate to them, so when somebody asks, we can provide a solution.
“While you come right here and see that they will cease the video games for Muslims to refuel, drink just a little and recharge just a little, it is wonderful. It is by no means occurred to me so this sense is wonderful.
“I noticed it on TV when Wesley was at Leicester breaking his quick in the course of the sport, it was wonderful. After they do it for you it is unimaginable. I used to be actually glad and I am wanting ahead to it once more.”
“I am with Romelu, I really feel sorry for him”
Final week, the Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku took it “Historical past repeats itself” after he was abused by Juventus followers throughout their Coppa Italia assembly.
The Belgium worldwide was despatched off for holding his finger to his lips in entrance of the house followers after scoring a Ninety fifth-minute penalty and known as on Serie A to take “motion for actual this time”.
Throughout his eight years taking part in in Italy for Napoli, Koulibaly suffered racist abuse on a number of events from supporters, at Inter in 2018.
“I do not know why it retains occurring,” he added. “There are just a few fools who assume they’re allowed to do what they need. Society shouldn’t be like that and I say to Romelu, I’m with him.
“I do know this sense, it occurred to me and it is actually dangerous. We ought to be pleased with him, pleased with what he did. He did not give respect to anybody and solely expressed his feeling at this second.
“For me, he was good. Possibly the others felt that he performed on his nerves, however they performed with him with these silly actions in opposition to him. I really feel sorry for him, however everyone seems to be with him and we nonetheless have him help”.
Benzema “the perfect striker on the earth”
Lampard’s return to the dugout did not go to plan, dropping 1-0 at Wolves on Saturday and it would not get any simpler as Chelsea go to Actual Madrid subsequent within the Champions League.
Koulibaly will face in-form French striker Karim Benzema, who has scored 26 objectives in all competitions thus far, together with two hat-tricks in his final three video games.
Final season, Benzema he broke his quick quarter-hour earlier than kick-off and went on to web a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge, sending Chelsea out of the competitors on the similar stage of the final eight.
Koulibaly mentioned: “I mentioned this to the newspapers about two or three years in the past, he’s the perfect striker on the earth. It will likely be a troublesome sport however I hope Chelsea will win and cross this check.
“It’s our purpose, however it will likely be arduous as a result of they received the final Champions League. We consider in ourselves, in our teammates and within the supervisor.
“I’m glad for Benzema, he is an efficient instance for Muslims that we are able to do Ramadan, rating objectives and be productive.
“I hope he continues to attain, however not on Wednesday.”
