In the wake of Chelsea’s latest setback, the struggling Blues’ 1-0 loss to Southampton on Saturday, Graham Potter insisted that he was not to blame for the team’s problems.
Potter’s team lost to the bottom club in the Premier League, who beat Stamford Bridge with a goal from James Ward-Prowse’s signature free kick late in the first half. Chelsea’s winless streak in the league now stands at four games, as Southampton won for only the second time since October.
At the conclusion of their eighth consecutive game without a goal, Chelsea’s fans booed them off the field as they struggled to create clear opportunities.
The former Brighton manager launched a robust defense of his credentials as the pressure mounted on Potter, who was only brought in to replace Thomas Tuchel, who had been fired, in September.
Potter stated, “Any criticism you get is understandable after a 1-0 defeat at home.”
We’ve had a difficult time integrating young players into the Premier League, and we’ve faced numerous obstacles. It can be hard when results don’t go your way.
There will undoubtedly be individuals who believe that I am the issue. I don’t believe they are correct.
I’m not arrogant enough to deny that their point of view is valid. It is my responsibility to support the team’s perseverance during difficult times.
In the January transfer window, Chelsea spent more than £361 million ($300 million) on new players. However, Potter has yet to see results improve as a result of that significant investment.
Potter acknowledged that Chelsea’s most recent defeat, which came just days after the club’s 1-0 defeat at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last 16 first leg, was yet another blow, despite the speculation that he might be fired.
The truth is that our performance in the first half slowed down. He stated, “The second half response was good, but not sufficient.”
“With all due respect to Southampton, it is not good enough that we have lost 1-0 at home. As much as anyone else’s, I was responsible for the first half. The performance was poor, in my opinion.
After being kicked in the head by Sekou Mara in the second half, captain Cesar Azpilicueta left the field on a stretcher and wearing an oxygen mask, adding to Potter’s problems.
He’s at the hospital. He was speaking to his wife and is aware of it. It’s clear that we’re very worried. We’ll keep an eye on him because he’s in the best spot, Potter stated.
I believe he was unresponsive. All of the necessary safeguards must be taken now. It was upsetting. A terrible incident occurred.