News
Graham Potter latest: ‘Fight’ on to keep Chelsea job as Todd Boehly makes crucial decision amid split board
Graham Potter is facing a fight to convince Chelsea figures that he has what it takes to turn their dismal form around, with Todd Boehly’s crucial decision revealed amid a split in the hierarchy’s stance.
The 47-year-old’s future is uncertain at Chelsea despite only signing a five-year contract last September following his appointment from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Potter has won just two of his last 17 games in all competitions, with Chelsea losing all three of their previous games and it’s heading into a ‘make or break’ period for the head coach, with games against Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund reportedly crucial over his future in the capital.
“I don’t tend to look at it in any way like that,” was Potter’s response to whether he sees Leeds and Dortmund as ‘make or break’ matches. “I tend to focus on the next match. We know the situation we’re in – and that is to improve the results we’ve had. That is my responsibility. They’ve not been good enough so that is all I focus on now.”
Co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were both in attendance on Friday at their Cobham training centre and will be at Stamford Bridge for the fixture against Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.
“There is support and, of course, I’ve spoken to them,” Potter stated on his communication with the owners. “But I’m not going to hide behind that. The results haven’t been good enough for us and I’m responsible for that.”
However, it has now been reported by Sami Mokbel and Adrian Kajumba that Potter faces a fight to convince senior figures that he is the man to lead Chelsea forward and to stop the dismal rot.
It’s claimed that ‘Potter is facing a fight to convince certain figures at the club that he has the authority to turn round’ a disastrous run of form.
Boehly – is reportedly among those ‘most supportive of Potter behind the scenes and, at least for the time being, believes a change of boss would set the team’s development back’.
It’s clear that Boehly is still keeping faith in Potter, but should results continue to dwindle, he may be left with no choice but to accept that the 47-year-old’s fate may decide itself.
Boehly feels Potter should be ‘afforded more time’ after the raft of changes at Stamford Bridge. However, that is not the view of all at the club, with ’emerging doubts’ now surfacing from other areas.
The players are still behind Potter although there is suggested to be concerns that ‘whether he has shown enough force of personality to halt the team’s slide and stamp his mark on the club and dressing room’.
Saturday is set to be a huge day for both Chelsea and Potter. Should they suffer another defeat, the first time they would have lost four in a row since 1993, Potter’s position in charge could be untenable.