According to respected journalist David Ornstein‘s recent report, “Chelsea’s hierarchy intend to judge Graham Potter by years, not months or games. They expect progress but are giving him significant time. Job is seen as safe and long-term.”
This has been a strenuous year for Chelsea. Right from Todd Boehly and his consortium taking over reins from Roman Abramovich, to change in the coaching staff and the eventful transfer windows. The owners have invested heavily into the club by appointing former Brighton & Hove Albion Head coach Potter and his team. The club has also signed a staggering total of 18 players over the last two transfer windows. Even after all of this, CFC find themselves sat deep in mid table and eliminated from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup already.
These results have caused an understandable unrest amongst the Chelsea faithful who are used to the revolving door strategy used by Mr. Abramovich. These are the same fans who considered Potter a hot favorite back when Thomas Tuchel was sacked and would pay any sum to have the English manager at the club. The Boehly-Clearlake ownership did sack Tuchel ruthlessly but they’ve got history with building a long term as they did with their baseball team, Los Angeles Dodgers, whose Head coach Dave Roberts has been leading the team for almost 10 years.
The owners spent time in examining every available option and after deep research appointed Graham Potter who they find a stable and capable coach to bring long term success at the club. The supporters tend to forget that when Potter first came in, he did go on an unbeaten run with a fully fit squad. After which, the West Londoners were battered with the injury crisis at the club. It reached an extent where Chelsea’s injured XI were way stronger than the available XI. And the players available didn’t help either with multiple high profile players disappointing on a regular basis. The attack failed to rack up goals and finish off clear cut chances, while the left side of the defence allowed most of the opponents to exploit them. The manager can never be completely faulted under such circumstances.
The ownership backed Thomas Tuchel in the summer transfer window and landed players that fit his system. After his sacking, almost every player that he signed struggled to prove their worth. On the other hand, all the signings that were made under Potter and his recruitment team have looked promising. This is simply because they are better suited to his system, and sacking Potter now to bring us back to square one and leave the squad unsettled. This method is unfeasible and won’t do the club any good.
Even if we consider the financial aspect, sacking Potter makes little to no sense. Appointing Potter and his staff cost Chelsea around £20million, and Chelsea have handed him a five-year contract worth £10M a year. This means that the club would have to incur a huge loss if they considering parting ways with the Englishman.
Yes, the recent results have not been good enough. But no CFC faithful can deny the fact that there have been positive signs in the last few games. All the new signings have looked bright so far and it could only get better with time. The squad will take some time to gel and settle in, and eventually the results will come. Even if we consider the worst case scenario: Chelsea failing to secure a spot in the top four. The supporters must get behind the team and accept this minor setback gracefully. The club has a plan and it is very evident.
For those suggesting that Potter should be axed have short memories of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, who was nearly sacked in his first or second season? The rest is history.