Chelsea boss Graham says his young side need time to adapt; today’s London derby against Tottenham will be crucial
Chelsea’s Lewis Hall and Raheem Sterling (right) during a training session on Friday. Pics/Getty Images
Under-pressure Chelsea boss Graham Potter claims the problems derailing his struggling team had already taken root well before his arrival at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are languishing in 10th place in the Premier League, 23 points behind leaders Arsenal, ahead of Sunday’s London derby at Tottenham.
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Potter, appointed as Chelsea manager in September, splashed out more than £315 million ($376 million) during the January transfer window. But the new-look Chelsea still lost 1-0 to bottom-of-the-table Southampton last weekend, with Potter enduring jeers from frustrated fans amid mounting talk that he could face the sack.
Graham Potter
However, former Brighton boss Potter is adamant he is still trying to resolve issues that long pre-date his appointment, while also bedding in his young crop of new recruits. “It’s really tough. I’ve said this is the toughest job in football. There’s lots of factors for that,” Potter told reporters on Friday.
“The club invested a lot of money in the squad, which [raises] the pressure, the expectation, the noise. But the players that we’ve got, they’re not 28-year-old, 400-game Premier League players. They’re young players that need time to adapt.”
Just two wins in 14 games
Chelsea have won just twice in their last 14 games, and have scored a single goal at home in 2023, with Potter accepting fans won’t have much sympathy for the squad’s problems. “I don’t think anybody is really bothered,” he said.
Also read: Enzo Fernandez joins Chelsea for record British transfer fee of £106.8 million
“I’m the manager of Chelsea. I’ve been asked for four months about pressure. When the results are what they are, you accept it. Supporters are entitled to be angry. My response is there are things that are contributing factors to that result [against Southampton]. I’m not here to convince them [with words]. My actions have got to convince them. We’ve got to win matches. There’s nothing I can say,” he said.
Potter receives threats
Meanwhile, Potter has received emails threatening him and his family. Potter revealed on Friday he has been targeted by an anonymous account after Chelsea’s dismal season hit a new low with a 1-0 home defeat against Southampton last weekend.
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