“I have to do better” – Graham Potter’s honest assessment of Chelsea’s problems outlined following FA Cup exit

Graham Potter has taken full responsibility for his part in Chelsea’s struggles and insists they have the ambition to overcome the frustration, disappointment and anger which is growing.

Chelsea are on a downward decline despite returning from the World Cup with a 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth on December.

A draw and two defeats to Manchester City in a row have increased pressure and scrutiny on both the head coach, Potter, and players.

The season already looks to be a write off following a run of one win in their last eight matches in all competitions. Chelsea have been knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, and also sit in 10th place in the Premier League.

READ MORE: Toxicity rises at Chelsea as fans chant Thomas Tuchel & Roman Abramovich’s names during Man City loss

It was a dismal evening in Manchester as City, who didn’t get out of third gear, wiped the floor with the Blues, putting four past Potter’s side, to progress into the FA Cup fourth round.

“It’s tough, absolutely,” Potter told Chelsea’s in-house media following the heavy loss. “We came with an ambition and in the end we were second best. Disappointing result, we wanted to progress, we weren’t good enough.

“There’s a lot to do, a lot to improve. We have to stick together. There’s a lot of young players on the pitch but at the same time I know the level, the responsibility we have, and we have to improve.”

He added: “We are really disappointed because we can perform better, the opponent was good but still we need to better.”

The blame game will begin on who takes the blame for Chelsea’s form and results of late. Despite still having the ‘full confidence and patience’ of the hierarchy, Potter took personal responsibility for the problems and knows he can do better.

Challenges have been constantly thrown at Chelsea: injury problems, hectic schedule since Potter’s arrival and the World Cup break. It hasn’t been easy. But Chelsea can do, and must do, better.

“That’s been a challenge,” said Potter on dealing with and managing an array of problems and situations, “but at the same time I have to do better. That’s the challenge I have, we need to improve.

“We have to help the players stick together, encourage them because it’s a tough moment for us all, because of the ambition we all have. We are in a moment that we have to suffer and it’s not nice, not enjoyable, but we have to do better and work hard. “

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Chelsea fans voiced their displeasure in the away end at the Etihad on Sunday, chanting the names of former head coach Thomas Tuchel and previous owner Roman Abramovich.

Frustrations are growing, it’s clear to see, but Potter was accepting and had a message of his own, responding: “I understand the frustration, the disappointment, the anger, because the results haven’t been what we want.

“We’ve faced Man City twice in cup competitions and gone out. We need to improve our position in the league. So I completely understand the frustration, the support we’ve had has been great, it really has.

“A lot of people understand where we’re at, but at the same time we also know we have responsibility to do better as well and that’s what we’re trying to work towards.”