Graham Potter fronts up for Chelsea’s struggles
BY PAUL LAGAN
paul@slpmedia.co.uk
It’s another make-or-break weekend for head coach Graham Potter – apparently.
Chelsea are at home to Leeds United tomorrow and then face Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in the Champions League.
It would seem that no matter what the results are on the pitch – and the defeat to Tottenham at the weekend must have hurt the most – the word from the boardroom is that Potter’s five-year contract is still valid and it is a case of carry on as usual.
But even Potter is acutely aware that deteriorating circumstances on the pitch may make that stance untenable.
Potter said: “I know the responsibility. Results are not good enough for this club. I’m not happy with them. I take full responsibility for those results.
“If results aren’t good enough, which they aren’t at the moment, you can’t rely on support forever. My job is to keep going, to try and change the moment. The players are hurting. It’s a tough moment for us.”
The west Londoners are closer to the relegation zone than they are to Champions League qualification and the loss of star player Thiago Silva for the rest of the season due to injury will not have helped lift the gloom.
The 39-year-old Brazilian centre-back injured knee ligaments against Spurs.
The club said he will be back in action “as soon as possible”, but reports suggest it will be six weeks at least that he will be on the sidelines.
In that time, the Blues – 10th in the Premier League – face sides in and around them in the shape of Leicester City, Everton, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Wolves.
By the end of March Chelsea will know if they are in a relegation dogfight, mid-table mediocrity or battling for an outside chance of finishing in a Europa League Conference spot.
All three positions are embarrassing considering the club were recent Champions League and Club World Cup winners.
At least the kids and the women know where the back of the net is.
The development squad beat Arsenal 1-0 on Monday night thanks to a late Leo Castledine goal at Kingsmeadow. Coach Mark Robinson said: “You want to win all your games but obviously beating London rivals is a wonderful feeling.
“The two losses we suffered early in the season hurt everyone and the lads have put them both right. We were not at our fluent best against Arsenal but we found a way to win and that’s a crucial part of their development as well.”
Chelsea have 36 points, two behind leaders Manchester City and have played one game more.
Robinson said: “We have thrown away at least six points this season from dominant positions. The title should be in our own hands, not relying on other clubs to slip up. However it’s all part of their development and we must stay living in the present – strive to deliver excellent performances and results.
“We have a tough run-in but what a wonderful challenge for the players to work towards and overcome. The way they approach their work, only positives will stem from it.”
Chelsea Women will travel to Reading in the FA Cup quarter-finals after they saw off Arsenal 2-0 last weekend at Kingsmeadow.
The pair meet again on Sunday, this time in the Continental Tyres Cup final at Selhurst Park.