West Ham, Premier League, Irons, David Moyes, Graham Potter
The Chelsea board are reportedly still backing Graham Potter despite Saturday afternoon’s 1-0 loss at home to Southampton in the Premier League.
The Lowdown: Embarrassing defeat
Chelsea suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of bottom-of-the-league Southampton at Stamford Bridge, which leaves them lingering in tenth place in the table.
It means that the Blues have now failed to win in their last four fixtures in the league, which couples up with a 1-0 defeat away at Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
The board would have expected better results and performances from Potter’s side after sacking Thomas Tuchel early on in the season, and now the Englishman is clearly facing the pressure.
The Latest: Potter still backed
Despite Saturday’s result against Southampton, The Daily Telegraph journalist Matt Law says that Potter is still being backed by the board:
“Told no change in Chelsea board’s position on Graham Potter. They are still backing him.”
The Verdict: Needs time
Supporters will rightfully feel frustrated with the results and performances on the pitch, but the fact of the matter is that Potter is clearly being backed for the long-term, and so needs time to turn things around.
The Chelsea hierarchy paid a reported £16m to release him from his contract at Brighton and Hove Albion and sign him on a five-year deal, suggesting that they see him as the driving force of their long-term project.
They backed him heavily in the January transfer window, spending huge amounts on new signings, including a British-record deal for Enzo Fernandez (Sky Sports).
Including the summer as well, Chelsea have spent £600m on new players since the takeover, and no matter how good they are, they will all need time to gel properly as a team together.
Nonetheless, the Blues should use this season as a learning curve, and look to really push on next term with Potter in charge.
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