Graham Potter defended his senior gamers however admitted Chelsea are “not in an amazing second” after their 4-0 FA Cup thrashing at Manchester Metropolis. This is each phrase of what he needed to say in his post-match press convention on the Etihad…
What’s your evaluation of the efficiency?
“I believed we have been second finest to a really, superb aspect. Clearly, we aren’t in an amazing second ourselves and despite the fact that it was a cagey first 20 minutes we could not assault the backline nicely sufficient, we could not assault in addition to we want. I feel Manchester Metropolis do rather well by way of stopping you doing that. On the similar time, we struggled.
“It was a unbelievable first objective by way of a strike from a free-kick, and an odd penalty and you’re caught ready the place it’s 2-0 and it’s important to chase the ball in opposition to Manchester Metropolis. You’re caught between making an attempt to commit extra males and never getting opened up.
Riyad Mahrez scores Manchester Metropolis’s fourth objective from the penalty spot
“So the primary half was painful and hard for us all. Second half, we needed to reply and I believed there have been some positives there by way of the younger gamers. I believed they gave every little thing and confirmed their high quality however we’re disillusioned we went out of the competitors. Congratulations to Man Metropolis. They deserved to win, after all.”
How a lot time will it take to get it proper?
“The outcomes by way of the Premier League, I feel we’ve misplaced 4 matches. To Newcastle away, the final sport earlier than the World Cup, we had 9 gamers unavailable. We misplaced 1-0 to Arsenal. We misplaced on a nasty day to Brighton and we misplaced to Manchester Metropolis. These are the groups we’ve misplaced to.
“However we’ve additionally drawn to Manchester United and Brentford so the leads to a small area of time aren’t constructive. I’ve mentioned earlier than you can also make excuses and search for causes or you may say it is not ok. Each of these solutions are right.
“So we’ve to maintain bettering, stick collectively as a soccer membership, as a result of clearly we’re struggling as a soccer membership and it isn’t good in any respect. However that’s the place we’re for the time being.”
There have been chants for Thomas Tuchel from the Chelsea followers. How arduous is it to show it round with that ambiance round you?
“We will not do something aside from do our jobs higher and work tougher. We perceive the supporters’ frustration, that is comprehensible and we respect that. However our job is to do our job. We simply must preserve working and see the state of affairs for what it’s. In fact, there are all the time different opinions and there’s all the time negativity and criticism as a result of the outcomes haven’t been constructive. That’s a part of the job, a part of the problem.”
Are you certain the senior gamers are giving every little thing for you?
“Sure. This opponent might be the worst opponent you may play when issues aren’t going very nicely as a result of they will make it appear to be you are not working, such as you’re not making an attempt, as a result of their positional construction is sensible, they use the total width of the pitch, they preserve the ball and make it troublesome so that you can put any stress on them.
“I’m working with the gamers, I do not get any sense of individuals with a poor perspective. Everybody desires to attempt to do higher. I feel there’s assist within the dressing room. It’s simply that we’re going by way of a nasty second and generally when you will have these moments you want anyone or one thing accountable, I perceive the place that query comes from. However on the similar time, we’ve to stay collectively and preserve working.”
What’s the state of affairs with Christian Pulisic, Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?
“Christian simply opened up his knee within the sport the opposite day, we’re nonetheless kind of analysing it, however it will be weeks. Raheem simply had an motion within the first minute of the sport, a backheel and he felt one thing in his hamstring and we’re analysing it and Aubameyang had a decent again and was not capable of journey.”
Clinton Morrison says the stress is constructing on Chelsea supervisor, Graham Potter after a poor run of outcomes and due to the excessive expectations on the membership.
Do you suppose you may win the followers again and switch the state of affairs round?
“It’s all the time difficult within the Premier League and it’s all the time difficult right here. I perceive their frustration and I perceive once you have a look at the outcomes and crew efficiency right this moment it’s so far-off from Manchester Metropolis. That’s clear.
“We’ve got to give attention to the following day and the following match. We play on Thursday. It is a vital sport for us. We have to keep collectively as a bunch and assist one another. I’m certain we’ll get the assist of the supporters once they see good performances and good outcomes.”
Pep backs Potter: What he did at Brighton was excellent
Talking in his personal post-match press convention, Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola urged the Chelsea proprietor to indicate some persistence as Potter implements his desired system at Stamford Bridge.
“I’d say to Todd Boehly, give him time. I do know within the large golf equipment the outcomes are necessary however give him time. The second half is what he’s. What he has completed in Brighton is excellent. All of the managers want time.
“At Barcelona, I had [Lionel] Messi there. That’s the reason I didn’t want two seasons. One is sufficient. However everybody wants it.
“To play in opposition to Metropolis once we are at this stage, within the Carabao Cup or right here [in the FA Cup] it isn’t straightforward. Not only for Chelsea however for any crew.”
