Graham Potter set for first Chelsea game in charge as FC Salzburg clash expected to go ahead as planned

Chelsea’s Champions League clash against FC Salzburg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night is set to go ahead as planned, it has been revealed.

It has been an uncertain time following the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday afternoon. 

Following the 96-year-old’s death, Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Fulham, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday at Craven Cottage, was postponed

A statement read: "This weekend's match round to be postponed as a mark of respect for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

“To honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening’s game."

Uncertainty still clouds this weekend’s league fixtures with major concerns about staging events safely on the eve of the Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral as a result of police deployment in the capital and beyond. 

However, Chelsea’s midweek clash against the Austrian outfit in Group E in the Champions League will go ahead. 

As reported by Simon Stoney, UEFA are satisfied that all security aspects will be met and the European clash will go ahead. 

It will see Graham Potter take charge of his first game as Chelsea head coach following his appointment on Thursday.

He was due to front the media on Friday for the first time but that was cancelled out of respect for the nation’s mourning of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Potter took charge of training for the first time on Friday and will gear his side up for their first game under the 47-year-old next Wednesday. 

In his only address since taking the Stamford Bridge job, Potter said:"I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club.

"I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of."

Chelsea will be looking to bounce back from their opening defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia which saw Thomas Tuchel’s time at Chelsea come to an end after 19 months.