Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 27, 2022 Chelsea manager Graham Potter reacts REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Chelsea supporters have been handed a significant update on Graham Potter’s future by talkSPORT and presenter Jim White.
The Lowdown: Fallen giants…
The Premier League giants have fallen from grace this season, winning just one league game since the beginning of 2023. In that time, Potter’s side have had an alarming lack of punch in the final third, having scored just three goals since January 1.
Those numbers will be of real concern to both the Chelsea hierarchy and fanbase with the west Londoners currently miles off a potential European qualification place.
Ten points separate them and fifth-placed Newcastle, with White sharing a Potter update on talkSPORT.
The Latest: White shares update on Potter future…
Reports have suggested that Chelsea have sounded out possible replacements for the Englishman, including a rejected approach for ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino.
White, speaking to the broadcaster, has now shared what a member of the Chelsea hierarchy has told him about Potter and his future at the club.
He explained:
“I woke up to a text message, it came from a member of the Chelsea hierarchy.
“I’m going to paraphrase it, ‘I understand the club feels there are extenuating circumstances, they’ve had 12 players injured, they’ve had eight new starts, and Potter himself had no pre-season – Graham Potter, in the hierarchy’s eyes, is the right coach for the Chelsea rebuild’.”
The Verdict: Right call?
Looking across London, capital rivals Arsenal endured a lacklustre start to Mikel Arteta’s reign, yet now they’re competing for league titles and currently lead Man City at the top of the Premier League.
Arteta also failed to guide Arsenal to a top four finish last season, yet rather than dismissing their Spaniard, the Gunners board stuck with him and are now reaping the rewards.
Perhaps Chelsea could follow a similar model with Potter and display patience in these next few seasons.
Under Roman Abramovich’s ownership, managers would often leave as quickly as they came in after a slump in form, with Todd Boehly and co now seemingly determined to move on from that philosophy.
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