Potter praises Joao Felix after first training session as Chelsea keep their checkbook open

Graham Potter says Chelsea have time to do more business in the January transfer window after confirming the signing of Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid.

The Portugal international on Wednesday became Chelsea's third signing in the window with the club reportedly paying £9million for the six-month deal, but the manager acknowledged there could still be more players out the door if the right deals could be struck.

The Premier League club have been waiting to hear if the 23-year-old is registered in time to play against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Thursday as they seek to close the gap to the top four, which currently stands at 10 dots. .

"He's a quality player," Potter said. “He can make the difference in the final third of the field. He is young but still has a lot of very good experience. He's just a quality player who gives everyone a boost.

"We've known him for a while - that kind of stuff doesn't happen quickly. Injuries have sharpened the focus a bit. Still it's good to bring him here, to have him train today today. This is a positive point for us.

"So we'll see for Thursday's game. We're waiting for confirmation.

"He's a good age, the quality is there. He's a fantastic player. His quality lies in playing as a second striker, playing between the lines, making things happen in the last third party, so we look forward to working with him.

"It's time (for more signings). Whether or not we find the right players is another thing. We have to look in this window to make the right decisions, but it's complicated. We are happy with this we've done so far."

Chelsea have won just one win in their last eight league games and fans chanted the name of former head coach Thomas Tuchel in the sweet 4-0 FA Cup loss to Manchester City last Sunday.

The PA news agency understands that the board has no intention of removing Potter as manager as they remain confident that he is the right person to make the most of the spend of nearly £350million sanctioned by owner Todd Boehly.

The manager was keen to draw attention to the difficulties faced by other bosses of the Premier League's top teams during their first days in charge.

"You have to understand that it's part of the job," Potter said. "Just look at some of my colleagues in similar positions.

"Pep (Guardiola) was criticized quite heavily in his first season. (Mikel) Arteta had to endure a period of criticism. (Jurgen) Klopp in the early years was criticized. These guys are fantastic.< /p>

"Football is emotional. When you lose, you don't think about it, you feel it.

"Suffering, you feel the pain, the discomfort. Sometimes it's hard to understand the "why". It's easier to blame someone. But it's always very complex.

"You try to put it into perspective, try to remember that you are capable, try to remember how you got here. Two months ago I was considered a top coach."< /p>

Potter will have striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang available for Thursday after recovering from a back injury, but Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic are expected to be out for a few months.

N'Golo Kante and Reece James have resumed training on their own, but they are not believed to be on their way back.

READ MORE: Joao Felix below single huge flop among 15 most expensive loan players in history