Chelsea manager Graham Potter has praised the solidity of his team’s defense, which has coincided with a return to winning form.
The Blues had recorded just one win in 2023 in all competitions until they defeated Leeds United last weekend in the Premier League before seeing off Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to progress to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.
The six-time Premier League champions have now kept back-to-back clean sheets as Potter began to set up with a back three. The former Brighton & Hove Albion manager, however, acknowledges they need to find the right balance by being more proficient in attack as they travel to Leicester City for a lunchtime encounter on Saturday .
“In the two games we’ve had different back threes. Benoit [Badiashile] played against Leeds and Marc [Cucurella] came in against Dortmund. We’ve played that at times this season, and Thiago getting injured against Tottenham meant that we had to adjust things, so at the moment it’s suiting us quite well and it’s working,” Potter said in the pre-match press conference.
Three rocks! ???? pic.twitter.com/4MGqAmOU65
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 8, 2023
“Defensively, and as much as everyone is focusing on the other end as we haven’t scored as many goals, but defensively, we’re up there as one of the best teams in the Premier League. So, that is something to be positive about but clearly, we need to get the other bit right as well because You need to be balanced and so both sides of the game well.
“The attacking bit is more difficult than the defending side of things as well but consistency always helps.”
Chelsea still remain in 10th position on the league standings, four points behind London rivals Brentford in ninth and 11 points away from the top four.
