praised ‘incredible’ N’Golo Kante after ’s Premier League draw with Liverpool draw and admitted he found it ‘hard’ to lead the side in replace of the sacked .
Chelsea were in their first game since Potter’s sacking.
Potter, 47, was but Chelsea’s long-standing problems were once again on show against Liverpool as Kai Havertz, Joao Felix and Mateo Kovacic missed big chances to break the deadlock.
One big positive for Chelsea was the performance of influential midfielder Kante on his first start since August after a hamstring injury.
Blues caretaker manager Bruno said: ‘N’Golo Kante is incredible. His performance was outstanding. He’s a leader with his performances.
‘What he brings to the team in terms of football and leadership is outstanding. It’s a massive plus to have him back.’
Bruno was part of Potter’s coaching team at Brighton and joined Chelsea with him in September.
The former defender says it was ‘difficult’ to take over from the former Brighton boss but was generally pleased with the performance around 48 hours after Potter’s departure.
‘It’s difficult to enjoy this type of experience because you’re really focused on the game,’ he said. ‘I tried to help the players from the touchline as much as I could.
‘After what happened on Sunday, yesterday we had a recovery session. I tried to spend time with the players and talk to them. I thought they gave everything.
‘It’s been hard, we are very close friends [with Graham Potter]. It’s difficult to stand here without him but I’m trying my best.
‘We created chances. We scored, offside. It will come to the boys because they deserve it.
‘We left Liverpool without anything [up front]. They put their bodies on the line, I’m really happy with back three. We had players on Ramadan, some back from injury.’
Asked what the next few days will look like – with Chelsea facing Wolves at the weekend before their Champions League tie with Real Madrid – Bruno added: ‘I’m going back home, rest, focus on the next game.
‘We will just focus on every day. The boys are giving their best. It’s been a really hard season. They’re human beings, we have to help them.’
The draw at Stamford Bridge leaves Chelsea 11th in the Premier League, while Liverpool stay eighth.
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