Graham Potter’s ‘immediate challenge’ at Chelsea outlined as fans make feelings clear despite club support

Graham Potter has retained the support of the Chelsea hierarchy but his problems won’t stop in the coming weeks as the pressure continues to hang over the head coach.

Chelsea suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to managerless and bottom of the table Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon to concede the league double to the Saints.

It also extended their poor run of form since the end of October which has now seen Chelsea win just two of their last 17 games in all competitions.

Boos were loud at full-time in the capital but Potter’s position at the club is unchanged. Several reports have made it clear the 47-year-old’s job is safe and he has the club’s backing following their long-term commitment last September when he was appointed.

Potter‘s support is weakening among the fanbase, and that has now been outlined to be his biggest challenge that awaits him in the coming weeks.

Chelsea have critical games coming up, starting from next week when they travel to London rivals Spurs, before facing Leeds United and then Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League for the second leg of their Round of 16 tie.

Journalist Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph believes Potter’s ‘bigger immediate challenge for Potter is to stop the fans turning on him and that requires a big and quick upturn in results and performances’.

Potter accepts there is lots of work still to do, but insists he is not the problem at Chelsea despite acknowledging fans may think he is.

“I’m sure there will be people out there that think I’m the problem, absolutely,” he said post-match on Saturday. “I don’t think they’re right but I’m not arrogant enough to say their opinion isn’t worth articulating. My job is to help the team, keep working through a team period.”

Chelsea now have a week to prepare for Spurs and another defeat will increase the divide and pressure on the team and manager. It is a game that they have to win. Although, that’s been the story for weeks now and the other pressing problem is they can’t seem to find a goal.

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