‘Make or break’ – Next two games critical over Graham Potter’s Chelsea future as concerns in squad grow

The beginning of March could be defining in deciding Graham Potter’s future at Chelsea, according to reports.

The last couple of months have been torrid, challenging and tough for the 47-year-old and Chelsea, with results not showing much sign of any improvement.

Potter has overseen three straight defeats in all competitions after their poor showing in the 2-0 defeat away to Spurs on Sunday afternoon, leaving them still in 10th in the Premier League.

Chelsea are now winless in their last six matches and have won just two games from a possible 16, scoring just six goals in all competitions since November 6.

Many have called for Potter to be sacked already after just five months or so in charge of Chelsea, however the owners have continued to back their man who they spent £20 million on to bring him and his staff from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer.

Potter accepts the criticism from supporters and acknowledges he’s not done enough to warrant being trusted by the fans to overcome the difficult period.

“Our supporters have been very fair and I have supported the team,” the Chelsea boss said after the defeat to Spurs.

“I’ve no complaints with the supporters. They are entitled to be frustrated, upset and angry with the results we’ve got and that is my responsibility. So I have no complaints with the supporters.”

Potter added: “I haven’t done enough at this club to have too much good faith; I also accept that.”

Potter looks set to still be in charge of Chelsea for their Premier League match against Leeds United this weekend, as well as for their second leg clash against Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 of the Champions League next Tuesday.

Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph reports that ‘the message from the owners remains one of wanting to provide support and backing, and yet the growing feeling around Chelsea is that the next two games will ultimately be make or break’ for Potter.

A defeat to Leeds could drag Chelsea into a bottom half of the table scrap if they aren’t careful, while nothing other than a win next week against Dortmund will see them crash out of the Champions League and all but end any hope of playing top tier European football next season.

It’s also been claimed that some senior players are concerned over whether or not Potter can turn the situation around, while new signings have been shocked by the pressure they are already under and anger among those who are having to be left out of the matchday squad.

The pressure is increasing at Stamford Bridge but for now there’s no change. But come the end of March, things could look very different should the winless run continue in the coming weeks.

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