GRAHAM POTTER has held crisis talks with his four-man council of war as he fights to beat Chelsea’s slump.
New loan signing Joao Felix joins a team in freefall with just six points from 24 as they head to in-form Fulham tomorrow.
And embattled boss Potter spoke to first team leaders Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic to try to plot a route back to winning ways.
Potter said: “I spoke really at length yesterday with Thiago, Aspi, Jorgi, Kova – we had a really good conversation. They again showed their qualities as people.
“They were honest, articulated their concerns well. They articulated their positivity, they articulated their responsibility. And I think we are in a place where we can move forward.
“It is an experienced team. The players are honest and they want to take responsibility. They want to improve, they want to win. There are a lot there, we are quite fortunate.
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“But at the same time, we are in a tough moment and there are challenges that affect the players as well. They are human beings.
“They are paid to do their jobs, but they are not robots. They are still affected by results and things that are happening in terms of the transition phase of the club. But I have been really impressed.”
The clear-the-air meeting at the training ground comes as Chelsea struggle to reinvent themselves under new owners.
Potter claims his job is safe with chairman Todd Boehly despite the alarming lack of form and exit from both domestic cups.
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Forward Felix has joined until the end of the season in a near £10 million temporary move. Potter will find out tomorrow whether the Portugal World Cup star is eligible to play at Craven Cottage.
Potter said: “He’s a quality player, can make a difference in the final third of the pitch, young but has obviously had a lot of really good experience. He’s a quality player that gives everyone a lift.
“He has qualities as a player, as a second striker between the lines and making something happen in the final third. We’re looking forward to working with him.”
The former Brighton boss also revealed how he that rebuilding Chelsea is “the hardest job in football”.
He added: “This club was run a certain way for 20 years and run really well. I have a lot of respect for the previous ownership and what they achieved.
“Unfortunately, they’re not here anymore, and you’ve lost all that leadership. It’s a new ownership, everything has changed pretty quickly.
“It’s an incredible amount that’s happened. Sometimes that can manifest itself in different ways.
“It would be disrespectful to expect to just pick it up with all the new staff, structures and people.
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“It is probably the hardest job in football because of that leadership change and the expectation — rightly of where people see Chelsea.
“Lots of things went, and you have to try to build it up again.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
