It’s no lie to say that Graham Potter is suffering at Chelsea. The man appointed to lead the club into a new era under their new American owners just hasn’t been able to find the winning formula, and Chelsea are staring down the barrel of a miserable season if Potter can’t oversee a turnaround sooner rather than later.
The latest setback was a 1-0 defeat at home to bottom-of-the-table Southampton, in what is arguably the most disappointing result of Potter’s tenure so far.
Chelsea were limp and lifeless throughout, and after James Ward-Prowse’s free kick gave the visitors the lead at half time, it was hard to see any way back for Chelsea, such is the lack of confidence in the Stamford Bridge dressing room.
“After a 1-0 defeat at home, any criticism you get is understandable,” said Potter after the game. “We’ve had a tough period and lots of challenges in terms of integrating young players in the Premier League. When you don’t get results, it can be tough. That’s how it is. Some people will think I’m the problem. I don’t think they’re right but that doesn’t mean they can’t articulate their views.”
Potter’s greatest chance at redemption comes in the Champions League. After a 1-0 first-leg defeat to Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea are hanging on the process of elimination from Europe’s premier club competition, which would be a bitter pill to swallow for a side well fancied in the football bets. Karim Adeyemi’s sensational run and finish gave the German side the advantage as they prepare for the second leg in west London.
But if Potter can galvanise his troops and deliver a performance Chelsea fans can really get excited about, it would go a long way to rebuilding his reputation. There’s nothing like a memorable Champions League night under the lights to inspire players and supporters alike, and if the Blues could go out and put Dortmund to the sword, it could prove to be a springboard on which the rest of the season could be propelled from.
Of course, it’s all easier said than done. Dortmund are a side hungry for success and the home win in the first leg will have given them a lot of confidence that they can go to London and get the job done. Jude Bellingham may be world football’s most wanted man, but for now he is committed to Edin Terzic’s side, and proving with every passing week what a sensational talent he is. If Chelsea are to overcome the deficit, they’ll have to keep the young Englishman quiet.
Pressure is mounting on Potter regarding his tactical choices, and the Dortmund game is one he simply must get right. You feel that patience must be wearing thin amongst the Chelsea hierarchy as the club’s recent slump shows little sign of abating. How welcome it would be if Potter could inspire his team to a memorable comeback at Stamford Bridge — Chelsea are a club desperate for any positive right now.
