Five things Graham Potter must do to save Chelsea job

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:09 CDT
• 6 min read

Chelsea have almost reached a stage of no return with Graham Potter.

Todd Boehly and the Clearlake Capital Investment Group have backed the former Brighton & Hove Albion head coach from the moment he stepped foot through the doors at Cobham, and their stance on his future at the club has never wavered.

The hierarchy at Stamford Bridge have always insisted that Potter will be given time no matter what, with the owners keen on building a project with the Englishman in charge.

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However, recent results will have no doubt tested their long-term vision of Potter at the helm. The Blues have picked up just one win in their last 10 games in all competitions - a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace - and are now 11 points off the top four in the Premier League.

A first-leg Champions League last-16 defeat to Borussia Dortmund showed signs of encouragement, but Potter was yet again unable to coach a victory.

Patience within the Chelsea fanbase has already gone, with most fans calling for Potter's head after seeing their club fall to five defeats in 2023.

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After a positive start to life at Stamford Bridge, with five wins in his first six games, Potter is now under serious pressure, and Boehly has one question to ask himself - stick or twist?

After sacking Thomas Tuchel just weeks after the summer transfer window slammed shut, Boehly must decide whether to follow suit with Potter or give the former Swansea boss time to bed in the new group of talent.

With over €611m spent since Boehly arrived, €330m of which came under Potter's tenure in January, on the surface there's little reason for Potter to not be achieving results.

However, those who back the Blues head coach will point to the fact that integrating new players is never easy and takes time - just ask Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper - while Potter currently has to deal with over 30 first-team faces in training everyday.

Chelsea's squad is far too large and could be making Potter's life very tricky in regards to working on match-related tactics in training. But, excuses such as these should've be tolerated at a club that prides itself on a winning mentality.

So, what must Potter do to save his Chelsea job?

1. Create a rapport with the fans

Potter has received much criticism for the mellowness of his press conferences and his behaviour on the touchline during games.

Chelsea fans have previously adored Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel, all of whom were very active in their technical area and were fiery characters in post-match interviews.

Potter himself has come out and answered critics about his calm persona, but fans want to see their manager show the same passion for the club as they do. It doesn't have to be anger, but Potter must display passion for Chelsea to convince fans he is the man for the job. That has not happened yet.

Furthermore, Potter is yet to become a favoured figure at Stamford Bridge, and unlike his previous time at Brighton or Swansea, he hasn't created a rapport with the fanbase.

Without their full support, calls for Potter's head will continue to rise, and Boehly might feel the pressure to sack him.

2. Increase togetherness and motivation within the squad

Following their 1-0 home defeat to Southampton, a video circulated on social media which was originally posted by the official Chelsea account. It showed the players entering the Stamford Bridge pitch for the warm-up before the game.

Fans were quick to point out that, in their opinion, almost every single player looked disinterested and unmotivated. The warm-up sets the tone for the game, and Chelsea didn't look up for it.

In a time of crisis, like Chelsea are in right now, that can't happen and it goes back to Potter.

He must galvanise the squad and force a mentality switch otherwise things could continue to spiral and Chelsea could be drawn into a shock relegation battle. After all, they're currently the same number of points away from the Champions League spots as they are from the relegation zone (11).

Potter must find the leaders in his dressing room and draw in them to motivate the players from the pitch too.

3. Implement a consistent tactical style

So far during his tenure, Potter is yet to consistently use the same tactical style. Of course things change game-by-game, but a core principle is the staple of any good team.

For example, his replacement at Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi, has coached his centre-backs to roll their studs on the ball to invite pressure before playing out through a press using the same method every time.

That hasn't been seen by Chelsea under Potter, which is a worry.

His Brighton side were playing scintillating football at the start of this campaign, but that fluid style is yet to translate to Stamford Bridge.

4. Prioritise instant results over the long-term project

Chelsea are building a future project, as seen by their recent transfer strategy, but Potter won't be around to see it if he doesn't prioritise instant success.

The former Brighton manager had massive joy with a back three system at the AMEX Stadium, with Marc Cucurella used as a left-centre-back and Leandro Trossard at left-wing-back, but he's almost solely stuck to a back four at Chelsea.

That is clearly the long-term vision, but without an appropriate partner for Enzo Fernandez, he needs to revert to a back three. The Argentine is an excellent midfielder, but he needs a more defensive partner next to him. That hasn't been seen once so far at Chelsea and it's left Fernandez exposed at times - Karim Adeyemi's goal for Borussia Dortmund is a prime example.

With an extra defender behind him, Fernandez will be better protected to influence things in the final third, which is where his true qualities lie. Furthermore, Ben Chilwell and Reece James are now back to full fitness and under Thomas Tuchel they formed a truly brilliant wing-back pairing that provided Chelsea with chances galore.

If Chelsea replace one of their mis-firing forwards for a defender, it may actually help their attack as James and Chilwell will be freed of some defensive responsibilities, allowing them to wreak havoc in the final third.

5. Always play Reece James

Chelsea are a completely different side without Reece James. Resting him against Southampton following his recent injury lay-off was a sensible decision given how injury-prone James is, but it can't happen again.

The Blues simply rely on him too much and he is too vital to leave out.

Chelsea have lost just once in the Premier League with James on the pitch this season, with their other seven league defeats all coming without him involved.

James provides attacking impetus down the right as well as defensive security, with his presence often discouraging opponents from attacking down his flank.

Potter simply can't afford to line-up without James again, especially considering the injury Cesar Azpilicueta suffered against Southampton.