Graham Potter is finding it harder and harder to keep his Chelsea squad happy as he looks to turn their poor form around, according to reports.
The Blues’ 2-0 defeat to Tottenham in north London on Sunday saw Potter’s team – who are currently tenth in the Premier League – fall 14 points adrift of fourth-placed Spurs.
It is now one win in their last 11 Premier League matches and back-to-back defeats to bottom side Southampton and London rivals Tottenham means Potter is coming under increasing pressure.
It seems the majority of Chelsea fans have now lost faith, with the supporters at Stamford Bridge booing Potter and his team off the field after their last home fixture against the Saints.
There is sympathy in some quarters for the former Brighton boss with Potter having to bed in £600m worth of new signings from over the past two transfer windows.
And now the Daily Telegraph claims that Potter is coming under scrutiny from inside his own dressing room as well as above in the Chelsea boardroom.
The Telegraph claims:
‘Chelsea’s run is not just testing the faith of the owners, with senior players said to be concerned over whether or not Potter can turn the situation around, new signings shocked by the pressure they are already under and anger among those who are having to be left out of the matchday squad.’
It is understood that ‘more than one of the players left out of the matchday squad for the Spurs game were shocked to find out they would not even be on the substitutes’ bench.’
The report describes the matches against Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund as ‘make or break’ for Potter. The Telegraph added:
‘Given the current circumstances, that feels significant enough and even if he were not sacked immediately after the Dortmund game if Chelsea have failed to win either of their next two matches, those around the club, including players, believe there would ultimately be no way back.’
Chelsea defender Reece James insists the players and manager are “sticking together” with more time needed to turn things around.
“Nothing happens overnight,” James told beIN Sport.
“We don’t just wake up tomorrow and we’re out of the situation we’re in, it’s going to take weeks and months to get to where we’re meant to be.
“But we’re all on the same page, we’re sticking together and that’s a big positive.”
When asked if Potter is as good as other managers he’s played under at Chelsea, James replied: “Yeah, for sure.
“Everyone has seen how good of a manager he is. That showed when he was at Brighton and they were in and around top four. His ability is definitely not questionable.
“He’s in a similar position to us players – we’re the ones out there on the pitch performing – so just as much stick he gets the players are playing as well, we’re in it together.
“I think it’s hard to say, it’s not like we’re not trying, we’re giving it our all but results are simply not going our way at the moment.
“It’s not like the players are sacking it, or anything like this, we’re working hard, it’s just results are not falling our way at the moment.”
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