“I’m not naive or stupid” – Potter feeling Chelsea pressure after accepting unacceptable Southampton defeat

Graham Potter is starting to feel the pressure following loud criticism from Chelsea supporters following their unacceptable defeat to bottom-of-the-table Southampton.

Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Southampton on Saturday afternoon at Stamford Bridge, which saw the home fans boo off the team who have now won just two of their last 14 Premier League matches.

The form is alarming and almost relegation-worthy, something the players and manager acknowledge know isn’t good enough and shouldn’t be accepted.

Pressure is growing on Potter with large sections of the fanbase voicing their frustrations towards the 47-year-old, with many calling for him to go despite being appointed only back in September to replace popular figure Thomas Tuchel at the helm.

“I am not stupid or naive,” said Potter, as quoted by the Evening Standard, on the criticism. “My job is to keep going and keep helping and supporting the team and take that criticism.”

Kepa Arrizabalaga and Ben Chilwell have also reaffirmed the head coach’s position of Chelsea needing to improve. Chilwell admitted it’s now down to the players to turn it around, stating: “It’s not good enough. We need to win these games. It’s a pretty flat dressing room at the moment. The only people that can turn it around is ourselves.”

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The Chelsea hierarchy are still backing Potter for now as the pressure continues ahead of their crucial derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in north London.

Form suggests Chelsea won’t claim all three points. The last time they won away from home in the league was in October 2022 when they beat Aston Villa.

Many factors have played a part in Chelsea’s downfall. The injury list has surged in recent months, but it is starting to reduce along with the arrival of the new signings which should have given the Blues optimism and a boost to kick on to end their dismal run of form.

Potter is still backing himself but accepts the criticism that comes his way after defeat to managerless Southampton.

He added” “We’re managing quite an unprecedented injury list — so you have to manage that in the Premier League. All that is true but, unfortunately when you lose, it is not what people want to hear.

“I know my quality and I know what I have done in my career but I also understand than when results don’t go your way that you are open to criticism and that’s fair.

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

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