Chelsea face game ups and downs for future manager Graham Potter, with Thiago Silva now injured and Todd Boehly set to pick up the ax after games against Leeds and Borussia Dortmund
Graham Potter couldn’t escape the pressure at Chelsea as the pressure on his position as manager increased.
The Blues boss has come under even more criticism following Sunday’s crushing 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur which saw his side win just two of their last 15 matches in all competitions. Co-controller owner Todd Boehly and fellow club chiefs are preparing to use the ax should Chelsea fail to improve after crucial games against Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund over the next week.
More than 45,000 signatures have been linked to a petition calling for Potter to be fired, with fans venting their anger after a poor season so far. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta graciously offered his support but the former Brighton & Hove Albion coach will need more than that to survive the season in west London.
Here’s a summary of the latest news from Stamford Bridge.
The board makes an “important” announcement.
Chelsea have vowed to be “pioneers in fan engagement” after setting up a new advisory board for supporters. The Blues have followed through with their promise to create a Fan Advisory Council and are inviting applications for those wishing to fill the six spots.
Fans will be given an opinion on decisions, meeting at least three times a year and board members will be present at all get-togethers. The news has received a cautious welcome from the Chelsea Supporters Trust, who described it as an “important day” but still want more input at Stamford Bridge.
Silva criticized FIFA’s award rankings
Thiago Silva claims it was a “joke” that Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez was voted the seventh best player in 2022 at the recent FIFA Best awards. The Brazil centre-back, 38, has criticized the 23-year-old Argentina international’s ranking, despite his influential role during the Albiceleste’s World Cup triumph.
After shining for River Plate in the first half of 2022, Alvarez finished ahead of the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Robert Lewandowski, Jude Bellingham and Mohamed Salah. Silva was unimpressed, agreeing with the angry Instagram users who rummaged through the ratings.
Blues mocked by Arsenal icon
Arsenal hero Paul Merson has become the latest commentator to poke fun at Graham Potter’s team, claiming he could have played for Chelsea during their defeat on Sunday – even at 54 years of age. After beIN Sports presenter Richard Keys blasted Potter and co, Merson became the latest to join the pile against the Blues.
“They never looked like they were scoring at Spurs,” the former Gunners midfielder wrote in his Sky Sports column. I can play for Chelsea on Sunday when they have the ball because it’s so slow – and I’m 54 years old! I can’t run anymore but I can pass the ball and I can play in a team. It’s slow, sideways, backwards, I can play like that at my age.”