Graham Potter has confirmed that he is not the problem of Chelsea and still believes he can turn the team poor run around.
Graham Potter stated that he is not to blame for Chelsea’s problems after the struggling Blues’ humiliating 1-0 loss to Southampton on Saturday, 18th February 2023.
The Premier League’s bottom team defeated Potter’s team, and they did it in part thanks to a spectacular free kick from James Ward-Prowse late in the first half.
Chelsea’s winless streak in the league now stands at four games after Southampton won for just the second time in the league since October.
At the conclusion of their eighth goalless effort in their previous 13 games, Chelsea struggled to create clear chances and were booed off the field by irate supporters.
The former manager of Brighton launched a forceful defense of his credentials as the heat mounted on Potter, who had only been hired in September to take over from the fired Thomas Tuchel.
“After a 1-0 defat at home, any criticism you get is understandable,” Potter confirmed.
“We’ve had a tough period, we’ve had lots of challenges, integrating young players into the Premier League. Whilst results don’t go your way, it can be tough.
“I’m sure there will be people out there who will think I’m the problem. I don’t think they’re right.
“I’m not arrogant enough to say their opinion isn’t worth articulating. My job is to help the team keeping working through a tough period.”
In the January transfer window, Chelsea spent more than £300 million ($361 million) on new additions, but Potter has yet to translate that significant expenditure into improved performance.
Knowing he would lose his job, Potter acknowledged that Chelsea’s most recent loss, which came only days after a 1-0 loss against Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals, was another setback.
“The truth is we took a step back in our performance in the first half. The response in the second half was good, but not good enough,” he continued.
“When we’ve lost 1-0 at home to Southampton, with the greatest respect to them, it isn’t good enough. The first half was as much my responsibility as anybody’s. I thought the performance wasn’t good.”
Sekou Mara’s kick to the head during the second half resulted in a major injury to captain César Azpilicueta, who had to leave the field on a stretcher and wear an oxygen mask.
“He’s in hospital. He’s conscious, he was speaking to his wife. We are obviously really concerned. He’s in the best place and we’ll keep monitoring him,” Potter stated.
“I think he was unconscious. We have to take all the precautions we need to take now. It was worrying. It was a horrible incident.”
Graham Potter
Graham Stephen Potter, a professional football manager and former player from England, was born on May 20, 1975. He is now Chelsea’s head coach in the Premier League.
With the Swedish team stersund, Potter launched his professional managing career in January 2011.
With stersund, he earned three promotions and the Svenska Cupen, helping them advance to the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League knockout round.
In June 2018, he was named manager of Championship team Swansea City. A year later, he moved on to coach Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
He took over as Chelsea’s head coach in 2022 after the team unexpectedly fired Thomas Tuchel.
Was Chelsea Wrong For Sacking Thomas Tuchel?
Cole thinks Boehly erred in firing Tuchel since the German had ties to Chelsea supporters and was a champion.
On September 7, 2022, after their 1-0 Champions League loss to Dinamo Zagreb, Boehly fired Tuchel.
The American named Graham Potter as Tuchel’s replacement right away.
Joe Cole described Tuchel’s dismissal as a premature choice.
Given Chelsea’s recent dismal play and how they have struggled to maintain their position since Tuchel was fired, one must concede that it was a REALLY bad decision.
