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‘We can improve a lot’: Chelsea boss Graham Potter says he expected criticism after leaving Brighton for Stamford Bridge…
- Boss Graham Potter expected to take a close look at Chelsea at some point
- Chelsea are going through a bad run as they haven’t won any of their last four games
- Potter has claimed they have a busy schedule and injuries are at the root of their recent struggles
Graham Potter insists he expected to come under scrutiny at Chelsea at some point as he undergoes his ‘process’ to improve the team.
The Blues have not won any of their last four Premier League games and, to make matters worse, they have only scored twice in that series.
They have fallen to seventh in the league table after a miserable run of forms, but Potter refuses to panic, with the former Brighton boss admitting it was a tough game with mounting injuries.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter insisted he expected to come under scrutiny at some point
Chelsea have not won any of their last four Premier League games, leaving them seventh
Chelsea have seen a number of key players, including Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic, all sidelined for long periods in a busy period of games, including mid-week Champions League matches.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t expect it at some point. I think we’ve had a six-week period where we’ve played 13 games, eight out, it’s taking its toll on everything,” Potter told media at his pre-match press conference.
‘Injuries of key players. It’s a process, I’ve been through it in Brighton. I don’t think you can predict everything in football and when we got results I was honest enough to say we had to improve.
“We can improve a lot, that’s exciting, that’s the work.”
The Blues have sustained injuries to key players such as left-back Ben Chilwell (pictured)
Defender Reece James (pictured) was also sidelined for a long time due to injury
Chelsea suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to London rivals in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The former Brighton and Swansea boss has insisted the result did not influence his selection decisions for their third round Carabao Cup match with Manchester City.
‘That would be reactionary. You have to look at the game of the weekend, result and performance are disappointing. The purpose of this is clear to all of us.
“We’re using this game as the next step, learning more about the squad, more about the process. There are no shortcuts.
“You must suffer as I have said. You learn more about people, more about the team.’
One player struggling to find his best form under Potter is England star Raheem Sterling, who has scored just five goals for the Blues so far this season.
Perhaps the bigger question is that he has been used in so many different positions, including as a fullback rather than in a more attacking role.
Raheem Sterling (pictured) continues to struggle under new Chelsea boss Graham Potter
However, Potter has downplayed Sterling’s lack of good form this season, insisting that all players go through difficult periods in their careers.
Potter added: “I think you can tell from his reaction that he is honest. Players experience moments in their career that are not positive and others where everything they touch is gold.
“The team is not functioning as well as I would like. We have to improve the team and improve the structures.’