Graham Potter has won twice in 14 games, splurged over £300m in January, can’t stop tactical tinkering and many fans have SNAPPED… how much more can Chelsea take?
Sometimes, the more things stay the same, the more they change. So it was at Stamford Bridge, where James Ward-Prowse did as he so often does, dragging Southampton towards three vital points with yet another sumptuous free-kick.
And where Chelsea did as they so often do now, too: they fired a blank, failed to win, but the message from above remained consistent. The club back manager Graham Potter and his long-time project.
By the end of this humiliation, however, it was impossible not to sense the shift around Stamford Bridge.
In one corner of the Shed End, where Southampton’s supporters — now daring to believe — serenaded interim boss Ruben Selles. And everywhere else, where bubbling frustration spilt over to create a powerful mix of fury and mutiny. If patience with Potter has been fraying for a while, this was the day many snapped.
Chelsea were booed off, the abuse raining down on the dugout grew nasty and predictably colourful.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter is under pressure following another damaging result on Saturday
The Blues fell to a 1-0 home defeat by Southampton via a James Ward Prowse free-kick
The struggling Blues have now won just two games in 14 under Potter this season
It is hard to argue with the underlying concerns. Even Potter conceded that defeat by Southampton, the Premier League’s bottom side who had lost nine of their previous 10 games, was unacceptable.
This was another ‘step back’ that means Chelsea have now won just two of 14 matches. They have failed to score in six of 10 matches in 2023. They are 10th — as close to 17th as to the Champions League places. They spent more than £300million in January on eight new recruits. They visit rivals Tottenham next.
Something has to give soon, surely? And in these parts, the solution to that problem has been the same for nearly 20 years.
No wonder, then, that Potter was treated to a few familiar classics at full time. ‘Sacked in the morning,’ sang one Chelsea supporter. Please go back to Brighton, another urged him — in rather more industrial language. One fan insisted Potter was the worst manager this club had seen. Typically pleasant and measured.
‘When results aren’t going well, this is the world we are in,’ Potter said. ‘There’s a transition and there are factors and emotion but at the same time the team is losing and we have had the results we have, so you can also understand.
‘I’m not stupid, I’m not naive. My job is to keep going, to help the team, to support them through a tough period and take the criticism.’
Among the usual grumblings, however, came some rather curious complaints.
While Cesar Azpilicueta received oxygen following a sickening boot to the face, one supporter rose from his seat and urged Potter to do more than watch the medics work: ‘Talk to your players!’ he shouted.
Chelsea supporters look on with frustration during their side’s 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge
Saints boss Ruben Selles celebrates with his players after a huge victory in west London
Ward-Prowse was once again sensational from a dead ball to net Southampton’s winner
Earlier, following Ward-Prowse’s free-kick shortly before half-time, another fan near the dugout took issue with his manager sitting down.
It did not help that, a few metres away, Selles was in a permanent frenzy — rushing around his technical area, barking out instructions, hopping with delight and anger at every turn.
That has never been Potter’s style. Unfortunately, in football, perceptions are powerful. Which raises the question: would he consider changing to placate supporters?
‘I think you can only be yourself and try your best to be yourself,’ he said. ‘I get it. When you are losing there is always something you should do or should change. I’ve always been that way. It has got me to this point, but, at the same time, people want something different.’
By now, of course, it is more than Potter’s touchline demeanour that has irked Chelsea fans. The tinkering, the results, the lack of cutting edge — all shine a spotlight on the manager’s methods.
On Saturday, his decision to hand David Datro Fofana, 20, a first start — while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was left out of the squad — only opened the door to criticism. Particularly when Fofana was hooked at half-time as Chelsea struggled to break down the division’s bottom side.
Many here have lost faith already — that much became clear. But Potter’s belief in himself and his philosophy remains firm.
‘No, I know it’s football, I know sometimes it happens,’ he said. ‘We have invested in some young players. That’s what they are. If you look at Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, they are young players who have not played that many games, they are learning to play in the Premier League. We are managing quite an unprecedented injury list.’
Potter backs himself to produce an upturn in results despite fans growing impatient at Chelsea
Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling looks dejected following a missed chance on goal for his side
David Datro Fofana was thrown into action by Potter as he tried to change the Blues’ fortunes
Chelsea are missing Armando Broja, Christian Pulisic, N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy. To avoid further problems, Potter rested the likes of Reece James and Thiago Silva against Southampton.
‘All these things are true but unfortunately when you lose they are not what people want to hear,’ Potter said. ‘I know my quality and I know what I have done in my career but I also understand that when results don’t go your way you are open to criticism and that’s fair.’
This is a long-term project and Potter has pleaded for time. It does not help, then, when interim bosses like Selles make such an immediate impact. After less than a week in charge, he has given Southampton renewed direction and hope of staying up.
Now Potter faces his own battle to cling on. He has no plans to alter course. He must hope then that, once more, change can come from staying the same.
