The big-spending Blues are currently in 10th place in the table (Picture: Getty)
Graham Potter has played down suggestions his future at Chelsea is tied to finishing in the top four this season and insists he is desperate to finish as high as possible.
The big-spending Blues went on a £250million spree in the January window, bringing in nine new faces, but recent reports claimed the club’s hierarchy are willing to back Potter even if his new-look side finish outside the Champions League spaces.
Chelsea are currently 10th and 10 points adrift of the top four, and Potter insists his focus is not on catching the leaders but simply improving the team on a game-by-game basis.
Initially asked about Chelsea’s new owners, Potter told Sky Sports: ‘People presume a lot about how the owners are and I think it’s probably best to just ask them.’
Probed further on whether they have told him he does not need to qualify for the Champions League this season, Potter smiled and replied: ‘Again, ask them.
‘I mean, our ambition is to try and do as well as we can between now and the end of the season and you have to do that by winning the next match.
‘The ambition will never be to finish fourth, or to finish third, or to finish second! That’s the ambition of this club and that’s to win.
‘We’re trying to do that and the signings we’ve tried to make in this window are signings that indicate that’s our intention. But at the same time we understand the process we’re in and the position we’re in and we have to just keep working.’
Potter has a horde of new signings at his disposal (Picture: Getty)
Although Chelsea have unveiled a horde of new signings, only three can be added to their Champions League squad for the knockout stages meaning some expensive additions will have to miss out.
‘They are difficult conversations, that’s for sure. In an ideal world, an optimal world, you wouldn’t want to be having them,’ Potter continued.
‘But that’s my job and that’s what I’m here to do, and you’ve got to do it – and then you’ve got to do it in a respectful and honest and transparent way.
‘Respect the fact that there will be disappointment and frustration and to allow for that and then to help them go forward.’
On how he will determine who misses out, Potter added: ‘You just have to look at the right combination, the right balance of the group and take the tough decisions.
‘They’re not easy decisions at all, because we’ve got a lot of players who can put forward a strong case for being involved in any squad or any team.
‘So that’s our challenge, but it’s not something I can complain about that’s for sure! It’s part of the job here and I’m really looking forward to taking it and doing as well as I can.’
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The big-spending Blues are currently in 10th place in the table.
