Kai Havertz gives verdict on Graham Potter’s Chelsea exit

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Kai Havertz has admitted the Chelsea players were “frustrated” to see Graham Potter lose his job.

The Blues sacked Potter on Sunday after their 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Chelsea are looking for their third manager of the season under the Todd Boehly ownership, with Potter’s predecessor Thomas Tuchel also sacked at the start of the campaign.

Ex-Brighton defender Bruno Saltor, part of Potter’s coaching staff, took charge of Tuesday night’s goalless draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Former Blues midfielder Frank Lampard has agreed to become the club’s interim boss.

Chelsea paid a record fee of £21.5million to secure Potter’s services from Brighton in September but he won just 12 of his 31 games in charge of the west Londoners.

“We’re all in the same boat and all have to take responsibility for when the manager gets sacked,” Havertz told Sky Sports after the draw with Jurgen Klopp’s side. “Now we have to accept how it is. It’s not nice, but we have to be professional.

“It’s not our job to think about who is coming in. The owners have to decide that – we have to do the job on the pitch. We’re all frustrated to see Graham go.”

The Blues take on Wolves in the Premier League tomorrow and then head to the Santiago Bernabeu to play Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side won the competition last season and are second in La Liga.

“There are still nine games to play in the league – Chelsea do not deserve to be 11th in the table,” said former Bayern Leverkusen attacker Havertz. “It’s simply not nice to be there.

“We’re in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and have to get as much confidence as possible in the upcoming game.

“It’s not easy for every one of us, but us players need the fans as well.

“We’re in the best eight of the teams in Europe. It’s not nice in the league, but we all have to stick together.”

Havertz thought he had put Chelsea ahead against Liverpool on Tuesday when his shot in the second half was saved by Alisson but rebounded off the German international and rolled into the net.

VAR ruled the goal out as the effort struck Havertz’s arm before rebounding in.

Chelsea recorded 12 attempts on goal against Liverpool but failed to find the winner.

“I think so,” said Havertz, when asked whether his side should have claimed all three points against the Red. “In the first half, we had lots of chances – me included.

“After the loss on the weekend, we lacked a bit of confidence. That doesn’t make it easier in front of goal.

“But we’re professionals and it’s our job to score.”

Co-controlling owners Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea.

“We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person. He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome.”