Only FOUR Chelsea players thank Graham Potter in Instagram posts
Just FOUR Chelsea players thank Graham Potter, more than 24 hours after his sacking, with former Brighton striker Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell the only first-team stars who won’t shut up
Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella have thanked Graham Potter, but only a handful of Chelsea players have publicly expressed their appreciation for the sacked boss.
Potter was sacked on Sunday night after less than seven months in charge, with the dismal 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa leaving the Blues 11th in the Premier League, proving his latest act.
While Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria had no problem ‘liking’ the sacking announcement on Chelsea’s Instagram account, some in the squad thanked Potter for his efforts.
Defender Chilwell was the first on Monday night, posting an Instagram Story of him hugging Potter and the message “Thank you gaffer” and a blue heart emoji.
A trickle of others followed, including Cucurella, who knew Potter from Brighton. The Spaniard posted a photo of the pair speaking on the training pitch and the words: “Thank you and good luck in the future, gaffer!”
Ben Chilwell (left) and Marc Cucurella (right) were the only Chelsea first team players to send messages of appreciation to sacked manager Graham Potter on social media
Graham Potter reacts on the bench during Chelsea’s 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa
Armando Broja (left) and Noni Madueke (right) were the only other Chelsea players to thank Potter on Instagram
Armando Broja, who has been injured for most of Potter’s tenure, also took to Instagram to post a photo of the training pitch and a “thank you gaffer” caption.
Noni Madueke, one of Chelsea’s January signings from PSV Eindhoven, paid the most effusive praise to the outgoing manager.
“I will always be grateful to your coach. Really the very best!’ He wrote on his Instagram post.
But with Chilwell and Cucurella being the only first-team regulars to have bid a fond farewell to Potter, it seems much of the Chelsea squad isn’t too disappointed to see him go.
That’s certainly true in the case of outcast striker Aubameyang, who ‘liked’ Chelsea’s Instagram announcement on Sunday night as he hasn’t played for the club since late February.
The Gabon striker was dropped from Chelsea’s Champions League squad for the knockout stages to make way for January’s arrival and recently enraged the club by celebrating Barcelona’s win over Real Madrid in the Clásico with his former teammates.
Midfielder Zakaria, another who found limited opportunities under Potter, also ‘liked’ the post.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang appeared to endorse Graham Potter’s sacking by ‘liking’ Chelsea’s Instagram post announcing the news
Eagle-eyed Chelsea fans saw Aubameyang “liked” the Instagram post on Sunday
Denis Zakaria, another player who sees limited playing time under Potter, also “loved” the layoff post
Chelsea are now planning an ‘exhaustive’ search for Potter’s successor, with recently ousted Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann joined by Luis Enrique, Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi on the early shortlist.
Bruno Saltor, who succeeded Potter from Brighton when he took over last September, temporarily took charge of Chelsea as hosts of Liverpool on Tuesday night.
Potter will receive £13 million in damages following his dismissal. Chelsea paid a Premier League record £22 million to bring Potter and his coaching team out of Brighton.