Chelsea will be discussing potential candidates for their next manager already, according to an observer who believes the job is “too big” for Graham Potter.
Potter landed the biggest job of his managerial career to date when he replaced Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea in September. It was the reward for his positive work with Brighton. However, it has been hard for Potter to inspire better results at Stamford Bridge.
After 23 games of their season, Chelsea are stuck down in 10th in the Premier League table. Somewhat embarrassingly for Potter, they are four points behind Brighton having played a game more.
There has been a lot of pressure – which has gone to unnecessary extremes – on Potter in recent weeks. However, Chelsea are willing to give him time, as TEAMtalk understands.
But there needs to be an upturn in results sooner rather than later if Potter is to get his critics back on side. Next on the agenda is a London derby away at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
As Potter continues searching for positive results – Chelsea are going into the Tottenham game on the back of five games without a win, four of which they have failed to score in – one pundit has suggested he is on thin ice, no matter what sources suggest.
Ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor is in fact “100% sure” that Chelsea are already thinking about replacing Potter, who isn’t up to the task.
“I think his job is seriously under threat,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.
“Chelsea will be having meetings to discuss who they might go after. I’m 100% sure.
“They want to back him as a long-term solution but we’re not seeing a team that is reacting to him. The football is rubbish, and the results are rubbish.
“Wouldn’t it be better to give a new manager the rest of the season, a good pre-season – and see what someone else can do?
“It’s not about the new players. Potter’s record hasn’t been good since he came into the club.
“The job just looks too big for him. I think it’s best for him to go.”
Graham Potter fighting to change Chelsea fortunes
Potter’s contract at Chelsea is supposed to last until 2027. It may be beneficial to give him time, in the eyes of the club’s decision makers at least, in order to guide Chelsea’s evolving project.
The club have spent heavily in the past couple of transfer windows under Todd Boehly’s ownership group. In time, some of those investments may pay off.
Whether that is under Potter’s guidance or someone else’s remains to be seen. But after all the changes that have been made at Chelsea in recent months, there are naturally going to be teething problems.
If they are to maintain their high standards as a club, though, Potter will need to get everyone to raise their games – including his own on the touchline.
Agbonlahor’s theory of bringing in a new manager for the rest of the season and beyond may be risky depending on who is available. With that in mind, it only seems fair to give Potter until the end of the season at least.
But if the landscape changes by the summer, Chelsea might have some serious thinking to do. For now, it is in Potter’s hands. Yet he needs to find a way to get a better grip of what is happening for his team.
