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Graham Potter’s alarming three Chelsea problems which need resolving against Spurs

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Something that cannot be argued is that it’s been a difficult couple of months for Chelsea, Graham Potter and the hierarchy, and it needs to quickly change and improve.

The form is concerning. Two wins from their last 14 in the Premier League, two wins from their last 17 in all competitions. Chelsea fell to defeat to bottom-of-the-table Southampton on Saturday. It’s been unacceptable – Potter has already acknowledged that.

“After a 1-0 defeat at home, any criticism you get is understandable,” responded the 47-year-old after Chelsea were booed off by the Stamford Bridge crowd on Saturday.

READ MORE: Inside the Chelsea dressing room room as Blues slammed for ‘not being good enough’

He added: “I am not stupid or naive. My job is to keep going and keep helping and supporting the team and take that criticism.

“It is not acceptable to lose 1-0 at home here and any criticism I get is now fair.”

Despite the dismal form, the Chelsea owners are still backing the 47-year-old, with the players also still behind Potter.

READ MORE: The five key reasons why Graham Potter hasn’t been sacked by Chelsea revealed

Potter will still be in charge when Chelsea travel across the capital to face Spurs in the London derby on Sunday afternoon, and defeat would spell further trouble for the Blues head coach as he looks to ease supporters’ frustration.

Chelsea fans are becoming increasingly frustrated and many have already started to turn on Potter, but the owners are sticking by him and blocking out the noise.

After being given two days off – Sunday and Monday – before returning to Cobham on Tuesday to prepare for Spurs, there is three alarming problems that need addressing on Sunday when they come against Antonio Conte’s side.

1) Putting chances away and scoring

Chelsea tried to resolve their attacking problem last month in the transfer window with the additions of Joao Felix (loan), Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and David Datro Fofana to add to the current forward line.

However, since the beginning of the New Year, Chelsea have only managed to score four goals in 10 games in all competitions. The chances on display have well exceeded the number converted, but it remains a department which Potter and Co know needs improving, and quickly.

Chelsea have only scored 23 goals in their 23 games in the Premier League this term, and they have to start putting away chances. And this weekend there is no better time to do after a run of five games without victory and versus their London rivals.

The number of shots taken this season to how many have been scored is concerning, with the top 10 players for shots at goal revealed.

2) Claiming three points

Once Chelsea score a goal then they can focus on winning a game of football. If they don’t score, they can’t win. It’s clichè, but fact.

Potter’s side have not won in their last five games in all competitions, drawing three and losing their last two against Borussia Dortmund and Southampton.

Premier League record: Two wins from 14

All competitions record: Two wins from 17

Chelsea have only lost to Spurs five times in the league since 2010 and they rarely lose to their London counterparts, so they cannot allow that to happen again.

3) Winning away from home

Chelsea have found wins hard to come by but their run on the road is even worse. Potter’s side have not won in the league since Aston Villa away on October 16 at Villa Park when they won 2-0 thanks to a Mason Mount brace.

Then in all competitions, Chelsea’s last win came away to RB Salzburg on October 25 with a 2-1 win, courtesy of Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz.

No wins away from home for almost four months cannot be continued and defeat to Spurs will make Potter’s tenure virtually untenable in the eyes of the supporters. It’s a big game and Chelsea will be hoping all their problems are addressed; firstly goals, then a win to follow.

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