SOME Chelsea players are reportedly “unhappy” with manager Graham Potter, but the board remain convinced he is more suited to the role than predecessor Thomas Tuchel.
The former Brighton head coach, 47, replaced Tuchel, 49, in September last year following a poor start to the campaign.
And Potter has struggled to lift the mood at Stamford Bridge despite more than £300million being spent on players in the January transfer window.
A 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Saturday afternoon has left them 10th in the Premier League table, 11 points adrift of the top four.
And according to Caught Offside, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one of a few players left frustrated under Potter.
However, Chelsea chiefs remain confident the Blues boss is the right man for the job.
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Journalist Ben Jacobs said: “Potter hasn’t become a bad manager since leaving Brighton.
“And the owners look to Arsenal, and how much pressure Mikel Arteta has been under in seasons gone by, and hope their persistence in Potter pays off just like it has done for Arsenal with Arteta.
“Sacking Potter, which would have probably already happened under Roman Abramovich, could be counter-productive to Chelsea’s long-term project.
“This relies on youth and the manager needs to embrace the model and be excellent at managing upcoming talent. Potter ticks that box.”
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He continued: “The final point to add is despite rumours suggesting some senior players are unhappy under Potter, my understanding remains he’s liked and respected at Cobham.
“He held a series of early one-on-ones to set the tone when he joined and has an open-door policy which is appreciated.
“One or two players are clearly frustrated, like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has missed out on the last three Premier League matchday squads and was excluded from Chelsea’s updated 25-man list for the Champions League. But this was a decision made by both Potter with the board’s backing.
“I think Raheem Sterling was a little uncomfortable when asked to play at wing-back and Mason Mount hasn’t found his scoring form of last season.
“But none of this means there is a mutiny against the manager. It’s really more a by-product of Chelsea’s squad being too big and the team lacking a bit of confidence and identity.”
Chelsea have not won any of their last five games in all competitions.
Potter will be looking to end that run on Sunday when his side travel to Tottenham.
They will then host struggling Leeds, before the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge on March 7.
The Bundesliga side claimed a 1-0 win in the first leg.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
