Chelsea FC News

Oliver Skipp’s second-half stunner set Tottenham on their way to a 2-0 win over Chelsea – the first time they have beaten their rivals at their new stadium – and heaped yet more pressure on Blues boss Graham Potter.

Chelsea had beaten their rivals in all three previous Premier League meetings at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without conceding a goal but rarely threatened – producing an expected goals total of just 0.41 – to continue that record as they produced another hugely underwhelming display.

The west Londoners have now won just once in their last 11 matches in all competitions – scoring just four goals in that time – while they have failed to record a victory in any away match since October 16.

Chelsea’s hopes of ending that run looked to have been severely damaged when Hakim Ziyech was sent off in first-half stoppage time for a push into Emerson Royal’s face, but the winger then had the red card rescinded by referee Stuart Attwell after he reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.

But the visitors could not capitalise on that reprieve and they were behind moments into the second half when Skipp thumped the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga to score his first Tottenham goal, before the hosts sealed a crucial victory for their top-four hopes when Harry Kane turned home a corner at the far post eight minutes before full-time.

Incredibly, Chelsea are closer to the bottom three than the top four with Potter’s side 10 points above the relegation zone, while they are now 14 points behind fourth-placed Spurs.

How Spurs saw off limp Chelsea challenge

The message coming from Chelsea after last weekend’s embarrassing home defeat to bottom-club Southampton was that Todd Boehly and his fellow owners retained faith in Potter.

But after yet another turgid display – this time against a club many Blues supporters consider to be their primary rival – it is hard to see how that support cannot be severely tested in the coming days.

Potter has now won just nine of his 26 matches as Chelsea boss since being recruited from Brighton in September, and their defeat in north London means his side are on their longest run without an away win in the Premier League in 22 years.

The Blues were handed an early blow when Raheem Sterling’s appeal for a penalty after a challenge from Skipp fell on deaf ears, and Spurs nearly took the lead when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s shot from the edge of the area was deflected onto the post by Wesley Fofana.

Ziyech was then at the centre of a lengthy and confusing sequence of events, with the Morocco winger dismissed by Attwell following several minutes of deliberating among the officials before the referee then changed his mind after rewatching the incident.

That had been the most dramatic event during a forgettable first half but Skipp ensured the second period would not follow that pattern when he took advantage of Enzo Fernandez’s weak clearance to drill a shot past Kepa – his first goal in 67 games for Spurs.

Chelsea barely even threatened a reply as Spurs comfortably kept their rivals at arm’s length and Kane’s simple finish after being left unmarked in the area capped off an impressive afternoon’s work that leaves the north Londoners in fourth – four points clear of fifth-placed Newcastle.

Potter: I can’t rely on board support forever

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter told Sky Sports after the game: “The results are not good enough for Chelsea. I take full responsibility for those results.

“I thought the players gave everything, it’s just that the goal changes the complexion of the game and that made it difficult for us.

“If results aren’t good enough, which they aren’t at the moment, you can’t rely on support forever.”

When asked in his post-match press conference whether he accepts the owners’ support could eventually disappear, Potter responded: “There’s always that question, absolutely, and you can’t stop the questions, and whilst the results are like they are then I accept it – it’s part of the job.

“We were talking before the game about watching the Arsenal All or Nothing [documentary] and two years into Mikel’s reign he’s close to getting the sack and people are wanting him out and it’s a disaster. Obviously now things have changed a little bit but that’s just the way it is.

“If you look at Jurgen’s (Klopp) situation, they [Liverpool] haven’t got the results and all of a sudden people want him out.

“That’s just the nature of football and obviously I haven’t done enough at this club to have too much good faith and I also accept that as well. My job is to not worry too much about that.

“I understand the question and totally understand where it comes from and just to try to focus on helping the team and supporting the players because I really like these players. They’re good lads, they want to do better, they want to win but at the moment we’re suffering and that’s my responsibility.”

Stellini: Team have matured in Conte’s absence

Asked whether the team has grown in Antonio Conte’s absence, with the head coach in Italy recovering from gallbladder surgery, Spurs assistant manager Cristian Stellini said: “Yes – it’s like a teenager that has to become mature.

“The team reacted in this way. They take a lot of responsibility, players that play, players that sometimes are not playing and this is why I’m glad to stay here and keep the chair of Antonio warm.”

What’s next?

Tottenham now turn their attentions to the FA Cup, with a trip to Sheffield United on Wednesday; kick-off 7.55pm. Antonio Conte’s side then travel to Wolves on Saturday; kick-off 3pm.

Chelsea’s next game is at home to Leeds on Saturday; kick-off 3pm. The Blues will then try to overturn their 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last 16 when the Germans visit Stamford Bridge for the second leg on Tuesday March 7; kick-off 8pm.

Graham Potter has revealed he has received death threats, but the Chelsea head coach insists it has not rocked him as he aims to turn the club’s results around.

Potter is under mounting pressure at Stamford Bridge following last Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to the Premier League’s bottom side Southampton.

His team, who sit 10th in the league, have won just twice in their last 14 games and have scored a single goal at home in 2023.

The 47-year-old revealed on Friday in his press conference he had been the subject of email attacks, saying: “As much as I’ve had support I’ve had some not very nice emails that have come through that want me to die and want my kids to die, so obviously that’s not pleasant to receive.

“The challenge for me is, ‘OK, how do I conduct myself?’ That’s what I always turn round to. The higher you go, the more pressure you have on how you are as a person. I want to succeed here. There is this nonsense that I don’t care. Where does that come from? Where’s your evidence on that?

“If you go to work and somebody’s swearing abuse at you, it’s not going to be pleasant. You can answer it two ways. I could say I don’t care, but you know I’m lying. Everyone cares what people think, because we’re hardwired to be socially connected.

“Ask my family how life has been for me and for them. It’s been not pleasant at all. I understand supporters go home and they’re annoyed because the team aren’t winning but, I assure you, my life for the last three, four months has been fairly average, apart from the fact I’m really grateful for this experience.”

Speaking about the death threats ahead of Sunday’s game at Tottenham, live on Sky Sports, he told Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves: “You just have to put it aside, and thankfully it’s an isolated incident and it could come from anywhere. It’s just one of those things.

Asked whether it has rocked him, he responded: “Not really. It’s just a throwaway line, I think. I don’t give it any more weight than that.

“It’s not pleasant and it’s not pleasant for the family. You accept the criticism, you accept to be booed if you lose a game, you accept whatever comes your way absolutely.

“Of course there’s a line but I wouldn’t be the first person in life where the line’s been crossed and maybe in this instance it has been crossed.”

In his five months in charge of Chelsea, Potter has drawn criticism for his laid-back image and perceived lack of passion on the sidelines.

Asked whether he is unhappy with the assumption that he does not care and lacks anger, he told Sky Sports: “Yes I am, but at the same time I also know that people have an opinion based on what they see, and what they see is a very small portion of me, my personality, of how I act and of how I’ve got to this point.

“If people think you can just go from the ninth tier of English football via the fourth tier of Swedish football and climb your way up the pyramid and end up here with uncaring, unpassionate and unemotional personality then maybe they should try it themselves and see how they get on.”

Questioned whether he ever loses his temper and gets stuck into players if needed, he responded: “Yes, but I do it in a way that I think is respectful to them and at the right time.

“Anyone can get angry but it’s about getting angry at the right time, in the right place, with the right person. I think you’ve got to do what’s right for the team and the club.

“The anger’s there. The feeling’s there. If I was a bit egotistic and a bit selfish, maybe it would come out a bit more. But I think that actually part of the job is to put yourself second and to think about the team and the club, and that’s what I’ve done in all of my jobs and it’s served me well.

“You can criticise that but I’ve come from a place where I know where I’ve started, I know where I am now, I know the teams and people that I’ve worked with.

“We could do a little montage of people that would probably provide me with a good decent reference from my work that I’ve done and they’ll also say that I’m not as I’m perceived.

“People are perceived a certain way and that’s fine, no problem.”

Chelsea Supporters’ Trust condemns Potter death threats

The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has condemned the alleged death threats sent to Potter during the club’s recent struggles.

“The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust is appalled that Graham Potter and his family have been subjected to death threats,” the statement said.

“The actions of these individuals are disgusting, and they do not represent Chelsea FC supporters. No manager and their family should be subjected to any threats of this nature – we are deeply disappointed.

“While debate and criticism regarding personnel and performances are part of the game, this must never escalate into abusive behaviour directed at individuals and family members.

“These threats are beyond unacceptable and we support any subsequent investigation.”

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Graham Potter has revealed the Chelsea squad have told him they had their “worst pre-season ever” in the summer as the under-fire manager defended his side’s poor run of results.

Former Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel was in charge of Chelsea for their tour of the US, which was planned by the previous regime before the £4.25bn sale to the Todd Boehly-led consortium in May.

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Chelsea have just one win in their last 10 matches in all competitions and Potter is putting that partly down to the “suboptimal” pre-season some of his players had.

“It’s really tough [to integrate new players and get results],” said Potter ahead of Sunday’s trip to Tottenham in the Premier League, live on Sky Sports.

“My quote a few weeks ago is that it’s the toughest job in football, and there are lots of factors for that.

“Speaking to a couple of the experienced guys, they thought it was the worst pre-season they’ve had for different reasons. That’s not to blame anybody – that happens.”

Asked for the reasons he replied: “Organisationally, the tour didn’t work as well as they’d like. I wasn’t there so I can’t say.”

‘I spoke to owners – support still there’

Potter was late to his news conference on Friday as he joked he had just come from a crisis meeting with the owners following reports there were high-power talks about the club’s struggles this week.

The 47-year-old said he had chatted with the owners and they continue to back him, as he took a dig at the media.

“I’ve spoken to them and it’s the same as it’s always been, there’s always been support,” said Potter.

“I’ve been under pressure here for four months from you guys don’t forget.

“[Their support] continues. They’ve been great and been brilliant. I think they also see where we’re at and at the same time are frustrated because results are what they are and we have to do better.”

‘Transfer spending has increased pressure’

In the short time Potter has been in charge since he replaced Tuchel in September it has been the biggest period of change in the club’s recent history

Chelsea have spent more than £600m in the transfer market over the last two windows, but injuries and adaptation time have kept the Blues from turning their fortunes around, according to Potter.

“There’s a manager change in the middle of a Champions League Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday. We have the most unprecedented injury situation in that period in the Premier League,” he said.

“Then the World Cup. The club invests a lot of money in the squad which does that (gestures upwardly) to the pressure, the expectation and to the noise.

“But the players that we’ve got are not 28-year-old, 400-game Premier League players. They’re young players that you need to take time to adapt to. At the same time, the injury situation that we had [means] you have to try to get them up to speed to play in the Premier League.

“We thought we were making progress and then we have the first half against Southampton – our third game in a week returning from a Champions League game – that was below par. The sky can then fall in. These are some of the facts. Inconvenient facts if you say he’s no use, but that’s the situation.”

Watch Tottenham vs Chelsea on Super Sunday from 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 1.30pm.

Paul Merson says it will be extremely difficult for manager Graham Potter to recover if Chelsea compound a particularly poor run of form with a loss at London rivals Tottenham this weekend.

Potter, who supposedly still has the full support of the club’s hierarchy, has won just twice in 14 games in all competitions and oversaw the Blues’ 1-0 defeat to the Premier League’s bottom side Southampton at Stamford Bridge last Saturday.

Chelsea’s expensively-assembled side left the pitch amidst anger and a chorus of boos at full-time, with some voices near the dugout calling for the former Brighton manager to leave.

In his latest column, Merson explains why a defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, could prove costly for Potter, while also discussing woe at West Ham, Newcastle’s goalkeeping conundrum ahead of this weekend’s Carabao Cup final and how the Premier League title remains Arsenal’s to lose.

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‘Potter hamstrung by influx of duplicate players’

It isn’t good at Chelsea at the moment. Potter is not looking after himself he’s looking after the team – which I quite like. Let’s be honest, it was a big football match on Saturday, Chelsea were playing bottom of the league. The best two players this season have been Reece James and Thiago Silva – he didn’t play either of those two players, he looked after them. He could have said ‘my job is on the line, I’m going to play you’ and worry about himself but he hasn’t.

I think he needs time. I’m not sure these are his players, that’s the major problem. I can’t imagine in my wildest dreams these are his players. A lot of the players at Chelsea are the same, but no better than what was there before. You buy players to improve a squad and that hasn’t happened. I would give him until next season to have a pre-season, I just don’t know how it’s going to work with these players.

From the outside, it doesn’t look like these are players he would have gone and got. They are just a lorry load of youngsters put on seven and eight-year contracts. That isn’t the way it’s done in football.

‘No way back if Chelsea lose to Spurs? | Mudryk has shown nothing’

People think Potter isn’t the right man for the job, but I think he is. For me, I think give him time. I don’t see it changing too quickly. I look at the players and I don’t get it. This Sunday is Chelsea’s biggest game of the season – it’s Tottenham. If he loses this one I’m not sure there is a way back because the fans will go ballistic. This game can change everything though – if Chelsea beat Spurs he can also be a hero.

He’s just been beaten at home by bottom of the league and he’s still there so maybe they will stick by him. I like him as a manager but I look at the quality of the players and I question it. They brought Mykhailo Mudryk for £88m and, bar a cameo of 20 minutes, he’s shown nothing. I mean nothing. You wouldn’t expect to need time to settle in at that price.

The forward-thinking players are no better than the ones they’ve already got so what’s the point? You can’t tell me that Noni Madueke is a better player than Raheem Sterling or Christian Pulisic. He’s not. Why are you buying a load of players that aren’t better than what you’ve got? None of them improve the team bar Enzo Fernandez and the centre-half [Benoit Badiashile].

‘West Ham will escape | Moyes key to survival’

West Ham will get out, but the other day [vs Tottenham] was worrying. I watched and thought ‘this is one of your biggest games of the season’, they didn’t play like it was. That’s a worry. Get rid of David Moyes and they will get relegated. Keep him and they will be okay. They will not go down with Moyes as manager, no chance.

This league is all about good starts, if you get a good start you’ve got a good chance. Just look at Fulham, Brighton and Brentford. It’s so hard to recover once you are in trouble because you’re up against it straight away. It would be one of the biggest shocks in football if West Ham get relegated with David Moyes in charge – he’s thick-skinned and he’s got the experience to get them out of trouble.

If Moyes got sacked tomorrow morning Leeds would walk over broken glass to go and get him in. You’ve got to put it in perspective. Leeds would have him in tomorrow morning. It’s a no-brainer.

‘Pope absence hands Man Utd CC trophy’

I feel for Newcastle. Such a shame with the Nick Pope situation. I think the rules have got to change. You’re talking about someone who has been sent off in a totally different competition. It’s not the Premier League. I know he’s done it, but he’s been punished.

He’s now going to miss a final that he might never get the chance to play in again. It’s such a shame. I don’t see anything but a Man United win now. You’re talking about playing your third-choice goalkeeper against Man United who are bang in form. If there was one player that Eddie Howe would want in his team for that final it’s Pope. Pope saves you. I am worried for Newcastle.

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‘Ten Hag commands respect at Man Utd – Weghorst signing proves it’

I don’t give Man United any chance of winning the league. They won’t chase Man City and Arsenal down. I think if you’re chasing one you’ve got a chance but not two. They’re flying along but I don’t think they will win the league.

They got the biggest result ever with Erik ten Hag going there and then getting rid of Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s worked out perfectly for them. I like him, he’s a strong manager. Ralf Rangnick wouldn’t have been able to get away with the Wout Weghorst signing, he’d have gotten crucified. But under Ten Hag everyone goes ‘wow, what a signing’. That just shows you he’s got the respect of the club and he runs the show. He’s done great, outstanding to be honest.

He’s got Marcus Rashford playing as the best forward in Europe at the moment. It’s not a foregone conclusion that United are going to go on and win leagues because the game will change next season. Chelsea will be better, Liverpool will be better. It will get harder. Teams like Arsenal have got to make hay while the sun shines.

‘Arsenal favourites for PL | City have eyes on Europe’

Massive football result for Arsenal at the weekend. Two points ahead with a game in hand. It’s in their hands. I go with Arsenal to win it still. I’ve said that before. When push comes to shove I think Manchester City have to win the Champions League – surely they haven’t bought in Erling Haaland to win the Premier League for the fourth time in five years. They’ll take their eye off it.

Arsenal will be in a situation soon where they have to make a decision, do they go for the league or have a run at the Europa League. They haven’t won a European trophy since 1993. You see how quickly football changes – people said last week after the City loss that Arsenal had ruined it. Now everything is rosy again.