Chelsea head coach Graham Potter was ironically in the wrong himself by criticising Kai Havertz for giving Jordan Pickford his well-earned medicine for the typically failing and cringeworthy sportsmanship the silly England goalkeeper exhibits on a regular basis.
Everton’s last-gasp equaliser brought parity to a result that should have arguably gone the Blues’ way. The persistently fragile nature of Potter’s side is offset by some fine moments of inspiration by stars like Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez. Obviously a juxtaposed overall end product currently exists.
CFC are a work in progress, clearly. But I must commend Potter on some overdue and tardy strides made. However, while the ex-Ostersunds and Swansea City head coach has not given the squad an intimidating identity as he carves out the team’s style along with disposition in his own image. He’d do well to remember that every side requires characters and much character, to paraphrase the wise words of Winston Wolf.
Graham Potter has much bigger Chelsea concerns than instilling or imposing his own slightly self-effacing disposition onto elite athletes
Kai Havertz coolly dispatched another important penalty against the Toffees, in spite of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s infantile and futile antics. We know the pantomime worked for Argentine World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez, Pickford has performed the tired routine to put off penalty takers for years – and it never really appeared to come to fruition. Irrespective of both stoppers seeming a bit foolish whilst possibly wasting their own time when they could be concentrating on saving the shot, I too am a win-at-all-cost type. Therefore, I empathise with eccentric ‘keepers.
Though I was surprised that Potter criticised the very composed Havertz for taunting his opponent in response to completing a daunting task. The boss said this of the attacker’s reaction:
"“You should enjoy the celebration, I don’t think you need to involve the opponent. That would be my perspective.”"
Essentially Havertz gave Pickford a slightly immature but warranted taste of his own medicine. If Potter wants to slam his makeshift striker, the German’s goal tally would be a more useful motivational tool; the gaffer may wish to praise the 23-year-old as well, following some well-timed finishes of late. Havertz showed that he was not intimidated.
Inculcating a meek persona – or personality: I’m struggling to decipher which Potter truly personally employs or exhibits – onto world-class footballers who are in the Premier League fight for their sporting career and lives is probably not the best tactic. I am not attempting to destroy the man, who is quite likeable. He’s possibly just not right for Chelsea, especially at this crucial juncture in the club’s history.