Underperforming Chelsea manager Graham Potter has stated there is still support for him from the club hierarchy as pressure continues to mount over his future at Stamford Bridge.
The former Brighton coach has come under scrutiny from fans over a poor run of results that has seen them win just once this year in all competitions, scoring only four goals.
The Blues are currently in 10th place in the Premier League standings, 14 points away from the top four and concerns have constantly been raised about Potter’s suitability for the job and his usage of the wide array of available stars.
“There is support. Of course, I’ve spoken to them. But I am not hiding behind that,” Potter said ahead of Chelsea’s league match with Leeds United on Saturday. “Results haven’t been good enough. I’m responsible. You accept the criticism and noise, my job is to prepare the team, stay focused and try to win.
“My position is I need to focus on the next game. Whatever the discussions are over the longer term, my focus is on tomorrow’s match. We understand the moment we’re in, where we are and we need to improve.
“We’re a club with ambition and desire to compete at the top. At the moment we’re not and we have to address that. That starts tomorrow [against Leeds].”
6 – Chelsea have scored six goals across their last 12 games in the Premier League; no side has scored fewer in the competition since the start of November. Chore. pic.twitter.com/fKrdXiwyeR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 26, 2023
While Potter has taken responsibility for the club’s poor form, he also stated the players share a responsibility which he claims they have admitted.
“We’re coaches, it’s our job to work with the players we have. In training, the spirit has been as good as it can be when in the period of results we’re in,” he continued.
“The boys have taken responsibility. They all admit that we can do better. Firstly, it’s down to me, but the players are honest enough to admit they can do better too.
“We are all fighting, but we need to show it on the pitch and that has to manifest itself in three points.”
The six-time English champions, Chelsea, are winless in their last five league games, and should they win against Leeds, it would be their first victory since January 15, when they beat London rivals Crystal Palace 1-0 at home. It will also be the first time they have scored in three games in all competitions.
