The under-pressure manager rested five first-team stars in Saturday’s defeat (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea’s owners have personally told Graham Potter they have no intention of sacking him and he must battle through the boos, according to reports.
The west Londoners have only won two of their last 14 games in all competitions and were beaten 1-0 at home to bottom-of-the-table Southampton on Saturday.
When the full-time whistle was blown at Stamford Bridge, it was greeted with a chorus of boos – largely aimed at Potter – and the side are now marooned in 10th place, 10 points adrift of the top four.
There have been suggestions that the players are even starting to question whether Potter is the right man to lead the club going forward, but Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are standing by their manager.
According to the Telegraph, the former Brighton boss was told to ‘put on his tin hat’ and fight through the criticism he is currently receiving – and could continue to.
Even if Chelsea lose again this coming weekend to Tottenham – a match Boehly will attend – the club still have no intention of parting ways with Potter.
Co-owners Boehly and Eghbali still have faith in Potter (Picture: Getty)
They want to allow him to complete the current season, regardless of how ugly things get, while they are conscious of the massive squad upheaval he has had to oversee and endure.
Ideally, Boehly and Eghbali want to ensure that Potter has a full campaign in charge of Chelsea next season – with a less chaotic summer transfer window – before making any further evaluations in the summer of 2024.
There is a recognition, however, that results and performances do need to start improving, but a win over Spurs followed by progress in the Champions League would shift the mood considerably.
According to the Telegraph’s report, Chelsea’s owners have been very impressed with the way Potter has continued to carry himself and that was evident again against Southampton.
Although some supporters questioned the decision to rest so many key players for the match, Potter has been applauded within the club for putting their safety ahead of any fears he may have over his job.
Chelsea’s medical team felt none of Reece James, Thiago Silva, Kai Havertz, Mykhailo Mudryk or Raheem Sterling should start and Potter’s decision to follow that advice has received the full backing – and appreciation – of Chelsea’s board.
They are also supportive of his decision to ostracise Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang despite the club’s continued goalscoring issues, and he is expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.
