Potter on transfer latest and returning to Chelsea

West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Chelsea (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the Hammers' efforts to sign players in January: "The club, the board and the chairman have been fantastic and really supportive. They've been wanting to help and, if anything, it's me and us trying to find the right player."

• Potter added: "I want to make the right decisions for this football club and the right player for this team. Signing a player is easy - there are so many agents pushing players left, right and centre. But the right one for the right price who fits how you want to play and fits into the group? That's the difficult thing. As a club, we have to be mindful of that."

• Asked whether he is being 'picky' about potential new signings, Potter said: "Maybe I'm picky in that I believe in the team and the club, more so than names plucked out of a hat or thrown around in the media. I believe our fans want a team fighting for each other and that's going in the same direction. So therefore my 'pickiness' is just to make sure we get people who want to buy into that."

• Potter said he will not speak about links to specific players and added he "feels for supporters" regarding constant transfer speculation: "Apologies if I'm not going to confirm or deny [links to players] but it's my stance that I don't want to speak about players that aren't at West Ham."

• On the logistics of playing a match on the same day as the transfer deadline: "It doesn't change anything from my perspective. We just prepare for the game and focus on the players we have. We'll work behind the scenes to do what we think is right."

• It will be Potter's first game against Chelsea since his departure from Stamford Bridge in 2023: "I had some good times and special nights there. I wish them well as a club, I'm thankful to them because it was part of my journey. But I'm here now - I'm delighted with that. I'm looking forward to seeing some friends and playing the game."

• On what he expects from Chelsea: "They are a tactically well-prepared team, Enzo [Maresca] has done a great job with that, and they've done a great job as a club in terms of stabilising and rejuvenating the squad. It's a tough game - they're competing to be in the Champions League. We have to play to the strengths we have and we go there with optimism, encouragement and enthusiasm."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news