Tag: Graham Potter

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Chelsea interim boss breaks silence on decision to sack Potter and players’ reaction

Bruno Saltor

Mueez Ajao

– Chelsea interim head coach Bruno Saltor says it has been a “difficult 24 hours for all of us” after Graham Potter’s sacking.

– Potter and assistant coach Billy Reid left the club on Sunday after only 31 games.

– Bruno and Reid were part of Potter’s coaching staff at Brighton and joined Chelsea with him in September.

Also Read: Chelsea sack manager Potter after seven months in charge

– “It’s been really difficult, at every single level, especially emotionally,” said Bruno.

– “You have to do the press conference, you have to deal with the players – it’s hard.

– “My relationship with Graham and Billy, and how it affects families – it’s difficult to deal with that.

– “It’s a sad day for the staff because Graham and Billy are two top coaches and top human beings.

– “I have to be as professional as I can and try to help and guide the players. I’m just focusing on what I can control and going day by day.”

– When Chelsea confirmed the changes, they issued a statement which said Potter has “agreed to collaborate with the club to facilitate a smooth transition”.

– Asked what that means, former Brighton defender Bruno said: “It probably means that I’m here right now, trying to keep the process going. We’re just trying to collaborate as best we can.

– “Graham did an amazing job. Football is a really complex business and we have to keep going.”

– Potter was sacked with Chelsea 11th in the Premier League after Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa.

– They are 12 points off the top four with 10 games of the season remaining, beginning with Tuesday’s match at home to Liverpool.

– Bruno said he had spoken with Potter and the club’s owners and that they are “really supportive”.

– “The responsibility is all of ours,” said the former Valencia player. “We have to keep it positive and focus on tomorrow’s game. That’s the energy we’re working with.

– “I see it as an opportunity for the players. We’re representing Chelsea, a club with an amazing history, and it’s about winning, about dominating.

– “It’s a massive challenge. I’ve had just four years coaching but been involved in football for 24 years. I’ve got a lot of experience in changing rooms, and what I’ll try to do is help and guide the players because I’ve been in those situations before.”

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Chelsea sack manager Potter after seven months in charge

Graham Potter

Mueez Ajao

– Chelsea have sacked manager Graham Potter after less than seven months in charge following Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa.

– It was the Englishman’s 11th defeat in 31 games since replacing Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge on 8 September.

– Chelsea have dropped to 11th in the Premier League – 12 points outside the top four – having spent more than £550m on new players this season.

Also Read: Watkins makes history as Villa silence Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

– The club’s owners said they were “disappointed” to sack Potter.

– Chelsea say Potter “has agreed to collaborate with the club to facilitate a smooth transition” and that Bruno Saltor, who worked with Potter at Brighton, will take charge of the team as interim head coach.

– In a statement, co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: “We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person.

– “He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome.”

– Chelsea host Liverpool in the Premier League on Tuesday and face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on 12 April.

– There have now been 13 managerial changes in the Premier League this season, with Leicester sacking Brendan Rodgers earlier on Sunday.

– ‘Along with our incredible fans, we will all be getting behind Bruno and the team as we focus on the rest of the season,” the Chelsea owners added.

– “We have 10 Premier League games remaining and a Champions League quarter-final ahead. We will put every effort and commitment into every one of those games so that we can end the season on a high.”

– Former Spanish right-back Bruno, 42, spent seven years as a player at Brighton before retiring in 2019 and moving into coaching.

– Potter was Boehly’s first managerial appointment since taking over the club in May 2022, with the Englishman impressing in his three years at Brighton.

– Potter replaced Tuchel, who won three trophies in 20 months at Stamford Bridge, in September when the Blues were sixth in the top flight, following a summer during which they spent £255m on transfers.

– Owner Boehly went on another remarkable spending spree in January, shelling out £288m.

– Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez and Ukraine forward Mykhailo Mudryk were among eight mid-season signings – but the new additions have struggled to click on the pitch.

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Potter backs Mount amid transfer talk of Bayern bid for Chelsea star

Graham Potter and Mason Mount

Mueez Ajao

– Chelsea boss Graham Potter has praised Mason Mount and called him a “top professional” as reports continue to link the midfielder with Bayern Munich.

– Bayern recently appointed ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who is thought to want the England player – with the Blues reportedly asking for £70m.

– Mount, 24, has only started one of Chelsea’s last eight games and has yet to score in 2023.

Also Read: Potter dealt Chelsea injury blow as James withdraws from England squad

– “It’s been tough for him. How he’s acted has been top,” said Potter.

– Mount has scored 33 goals in 192 games for Chelsea, with 19 of them coming in 86 games under Tuchel, who was sacked earlier this season.

– “He’s had niggling injuries and noise and speculation,” added Potter. “He’s a professional, a top professional and a good lad.

– “Sometimes in your career things aren’t optimal and you have to act well and that’s exactly what he’s done.”

– Mount missed out on the recent England squad with a pubic bone injury, but Potter said he could be fit to return on Saturday against Crystal Palace, albeit not from the start.

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Chelsea manager praises player’s performance after beating Leicester

Mueez Ajao

– Head coach Graham Potter acknowledges that Chelsea’s team spirit is “growing” after they defeated Leicester City by a 3-1 scoreline in the Premier League.

– A week ago, Potter was under intense pressure to retain his job at Stamford Bridge, a consequence of his side recording just three wins in 17 matches and frequently struggling for goals.

– However, the Blues bounced back by edging out Leeds United last week before producing arguably their best performance of the season to defeat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League three days later, booking a quarter-final spot in the process.

Also Read: Potter works his magic as Chelsea cruise

– Despite the progress in Europe, Chelsea remain under pressure to put together a winning streak in the top flight in order to remain in the race for European qualification.

– On Saturday afternoon, the West Londoners produced yet another encouraging display as they got the better of Leicester at the King Power Stadium.

– Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic all got on the scoresheet to move Chelsea to within one point of ninth-placed Brentford in the standings.

– After the game, Potter admitted that it has been a significant week for himself and the club, his team producing form which he hopes will last in the long term.

– The Englishman told reporters: “It’s been a team performance over the week. It takes time to develop that, but the spirit is growing. The togetherness I really like, fighting to play, ready to play.

– “Marc Cucurella has been out of the squad for a while but has now put in two great performances. It epitomises what we need in the squad.

– “I’m delighted for the players because it’s been a tough period we’ve been through and now we can look forward to the weekend to try and finish off before the international break with three points.”

– Chelsea play host to Everton on March 18 as they bid to keep the pressure on the top six, the current gap standing at four points having played two games more than current occupants Newcastle United.

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Chelsea manager Potter delighted to end ‘tough’ winless run by beating Leeds

Graham Potter

Mueez Ajao

– There was almost palpable relief on the pitch, in the tunnel and in the stands at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after Chelsea produced their first win in seven weeks — a stuttering 1-0 victory over struggling Leeds United.

– Applause replaced the jeers of previous weeks and players, wreathed in smiles, hugged each other as they left the pitch.

– Coach Graham Potter, who took over last September, has been under enormous pressure after a string of sparkless defeats and colourless draws.

Also Read: Potter casts Leeds aside to end Chelsea’s winless run

– The club, under American Todd Boehly and a consortium, spent some £300 million in the January transfer window, adding to the expectations to succeed, but Potter has had trouble turning his expensive array of talent into an effective attacking force.

– Scoring 24 goals in 25 games is not a strike rate expected of the club used to flying high in the Premier League and who won the Champions League as recently as 2021.

– So, even if Saturday’s win was less than spectacular, it transformed Potter’s post-match demeanour.

– “It’s a big win,” a beaming Potter told reporters. “We are delighted with the win that’s for sure because we’ve had a tough period.”

– France defender Wesley Fofana, who joined Chelsea at the start of the season, but was sidelined for several weeks with injury, scored the only goal of the game, rising above Leeds defenders to head home early in the second half.

– “It’s really good for the players to win and to keep a clean sheet,” Potter said. “It gives us confidence… as we prepare for a massive game on Tuesday.”

– Chelsea face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, needing to claw back a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.

– They will need to step up a gear to do that but Potter believes Saturday’s goal can be the start of many.

– “If you create chances the goals will come because the quality of the players is there,” he said.

– “I’m delighted for the players and for the supporters because they are the most important in the football club.”

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I’m not the problem – Potter on Chelsea woes

Graham Potter

Mueez Ajao

– Chelsea coach Graham Potter acknowledged the frustration of fans who booed the Blues off after a 1-0 home defeat by the Premier League’s bottom club Southampton on Saturday but said his critics were wrong to put all the blame on him.

– “After a 1-0 defeat at home, any criticism you get is understandable,” Potter told reporters after his side’s latest failure to find the net.

– “I think we have had a tough period and I think we have had lots of challenges in terms of integrating younger players into the Premier League.”

Also Read: Ward-Prowse magic casts Potter’s Chelsea aside

– The former Brighton & Hove Albion coach, who replaced Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel when the German was fired by Chelsea’s new owners last September, said it was tough when results went badly.

– “That’s how it is and I am sure there will be people out there who think that I’m the problem,” Potter said. “I don’t think that they are right but I am not arrogant enough to say that their opinion isn’t worth articulating.”

– He said he assumed responsibility for Chelsea’s poor first half when his team — with six changes from the side that lost but played well at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in midweek — went behind to a free-kick by Southampton’s dead-ball specialist James Ward-Prowse shortly before the break.

– “The truth is we took a step back in terms of our performance in the first half,” Potter said. “The response in the second half was good but obviously it wasn’t good enough.”

– Big-spending Chelsea — who splashed out around £300 million on players in January alone — have now won just two games in their last 14 in all competitions.

– They have scored 23 goals in the league so far this season compared with 51 for Arsenal and 60 for Manchester City.

– Saturday’s defeat left Chelsea in 10th place, far off a top-four finish needed to qualify for next season’s Champions League. So far, their American owners, who bought the club last year, have stood by Potter, saying they are building for the long term.

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Potter provides Azpilicueta injury update after kick to head

Mueez Ajao

– Cesar Azpilicueta will stay in hospital overnight after being kicked in the head in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton the Premier League on Saturday, manager Graham Potter said.

– The under-fire Chelsea manager said he expected the defender to remain in hospital for at least 24 hours after he was hit in the face by an attempted overhead kick by Southampton opponent Sekou Mara in the 74th minute.

– Azpilicueta, who is captain of Chelsea, was taken off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace and breathing from an oxygen mask after a 10-minute stoppage.

Also Read: Ward-Prowse magic casts Potter’s Chelsea aside

– “Thankfully he’s conscious,” Potter said. “He’s in hospital. He spoke to his wife, I believe. So we’re just obviously monitoring and very concerned for him. … It was not a nice thing to see.”

– The 33-year-old Azpilicueta joined Chelsea in 2012 and has helped the club win two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2021. He was named club captain in 2019.

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Chelsea manager Potter reveals stance on Mount contract

Mueez Ajao

– Chelsea boss Graham Potter said he wants Mason Mount’s contract stalemate “resolved quickly” as several rival Premier League clubs monitor the midfielder’s situation at Stamford Bridge.

– Sources reported on Thursday that Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United were among the clubs tracking Mount as talks over a new deal with Chelsea have stalled in recent weeks.

– The 24-year-old’s existing contract expires in 18 months and although Juventus and Atletico Madrid have also been linked with Mount, Chelsea remain keen to tie him to a long-term deal similar to those signed by Reece James, Benoit Badiashile and Mykhailo Mudryk in recent times.

Also Read: Adeyemi gives Dortmund advantage over Chelsea

– Speaking at a new conference on Friday, Potter said of Mount’s contract situation: “I think it is always complicated. There is always negotiation. It is best that I leave it between Mason and the club.

– “That’s the best way for that to be dealt with. As far as I’m concerned, he’s been fantastic to work with, an important player for us. Of course I hope it gets resolved quickly.”

– Chelsea are hopeful Raheem Sterling (knee) could be available to face Southampton at home on Saturday while Ben Chilwell should be fit despite picking up a knock on his ankle during Wednesday’s Champions League round of 16, first leg defeat at Borussia Dortmund.

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Chelsea boss Potter pleads with fans to give new signings time to adapt

Chelsea FC

Mueez Ajao

– Chelsea boss Graham Potter has said some of the club’s new signings need to adapt to the Premier League, with the club’s January spending spree yet to turn around their poor form.

– Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw against West Ham United on Saturday, with Atletico Madrid loanee Joao Felix scoring his first goal for the club before former Chelsea fullback Emerson levelled the game shortly after. The result means Chelsea have won just once in their last eight matches in all competitions.

– In his postmatch news conference, Potter said Chelsea’s progress is being halted by a list of issues, including his new signings needing time to adapt to England’s top-flight.

Also Read: Félix scores but West Ham hold Chelsea to draw

– “I just said from a performance perspective I thought it was [an improved performance],” Potter said.

– “You can also see the potential of the team but you can also see where the work is, which is getting Reece James up to speed, which is getting Ben Chilwell up to speed, which is getting Ruben Loftus-Cheek up to speed, which is getting Wesley Fofana up to speed, which is getting N’Golo Kante up to speed, which is adapting [Myhailo] Mudryk into the Premier League, which is adapting [Noni] Madueke into the Premier League, which adapting Benoit Badiashile into the Premier League, which is adapting Joao Felix into the Premier League.

– “That’s just how it is, that’s the way I see it and I’ll just be honest to say how it is but I completely understand that people are frustrated if you don’t win.”

– Chelsea made eight signings in January and, due to their inflated squad, had to leave defender Badiashile and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of their Champions League roster.

– Potter said that managing a squad of that size is a challenge but also described the situation as “exciting.”

– “I think it’s a challenge but it’s my job,” he said. “It’s exciting, it tests you because you have to make sure you communicate properly and manage the environment because otherwise it can go not very positive, but it’s been a good training week.

– “Then you have to have honest conversations and respect the fact that players will be disappointed, because that’s normal.”

– Chelsea are ninth in the Premier League table after Saturday’s draw and restart their Champions League campaign at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

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Chelsea boss Potter ‘not a fan of Super League’

Managing Chelsea is hardest job in football, Potter says
Chelsea manager Graham Potter, before a match.(Reuters/NAN)

Mueez Ajao

– Chelsea manager Graham Potter has said his position on plans for a European Super League (ESL) will not change even if the club are involved in the proposed breakaway competition.

– A22 Sports Management, a company formed to sponsor and assist in the creation of the ESL said on Thursday that revamped plans for the league could see “60-80 clubs” involved.

– As Brighton boss, Potter hit out at the proposed ESL plans in April 2021, saying they were “sad, disturbing and frustrating,” and he said on Friday his position remains the same.

Also Read: OFFICIAL: Thiago Silva signs contract extension with Chelsea

– “My position hasn’t changed in terms of I think it’s the Premier League, it’s the Champions League, wherever you are you should get there on sporting merit,” he told a news conference on Friday. “That’s my position still.”

– Chelsea were among 12 clubs involved in the initial plans for the breakaway league, but, alongside nine others, pulled out within 48 hours as the move collapsed.

– When asked whether his stance would have to change if Chelsea were to be involved in the new plans, Potter said: “[It’s] hard to answer hypothetical questions but I don’t think so. I think my position is my position and that’s it.”

– Various governing bodies condemned the revamped plan proposed by A22, with the European Club Associated saying the “proposed, discussed and comprehensively rejected by all stakeholders in 2019.”

– LaLiga also responded by saying it’s the latest attempt by “big clubs to hijack European football.”

– Chelsea are ninth in the Premier League table and face West Ham United in a London derby on Saturday.