Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has slammed Graham Potter and Chelsea, describing how the current crop of players is “more than good enough” to turn things around. Pressure on Potter is growing, with his team winning just two out of their last 15 league games and fans starting to turn against him.
Martin Keown Slams Chelsea and Graham Potter
😠 "That squad is more than good enough!"
😬 "They don't look like they can win a game."
Martin Keown believes that it's down to Potter to find a solution for #CFC's poor performances. pic.twitter.com/szlYarEfqo
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) February 27, 2023
Keown on Chelsea: ‘It’s Down to the Manager’
Speaking on talkSPORT on Monday, Keown said that the players currently at Chelsea are more than capable of winning games. He then went on to say that it was up to Potter to get the best out of the squad.
“That squad is more than good enough to be winning games of football,” Keown said. “You look at the likes of [Raheem] Sterling in there, [Kai] Havertz, [Joao] Felix. They’re international players. They’re top players. It’s down to the manager, he has to find a winning solution.
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“I think they have his backing, but it’s time now to turn up and get results.”
Fans Losing Patience With Potter
Keown is not the only one who has criticised Chelsea’s performances lately. Fans have also been losing patience with Graham Potter in recent weeks.
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The tide really seemed to turn after his side lost 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. Fans created a petition on Sunday after the game, demanding that Chelsea’s owners sack Potter. At the time of writing, it has reached over 39,000 signatures.
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It is not as if the criticism has been unwarranted either. Not only have Chelsea won just two out of their last 15 league games, but Potter’s side have only scored six goals in their last 12 matches. No Premier League side has scored fewer since the start of November.
6 – Chelsea have scored six goals across their last 12 games in the Premier League; no side has scored fewer in the competition since the start of November. Chore. pic.twitter.com/fKrdXiwyeR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 26, 2023
Reece James Defends Potter
But despite criticism from fans and pundits like Keown, defender Reece James insisted after the Tottenham match that Chelsea players were still all behind the manager.
“Nothing happens overnight,” James told beIN SPORTS. “We don’t just wake up tomorrow and we’re out of the situation we’re in, it’s going to take weeks and months to get to where we’re meant to be. We’re all on the same page, we’re sticking together and that’s a big positive.”
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“Everyone has seen how good of a manager he is. That showed when he was at Brighton and they were in and around top four. His ability is definitely not questionable.
“He’s in a similar position to us players. We’re the ones out there on the pitch performing, so just as much stick he gets the players are playing as well, we’re in it together.”
‘Make or Break’?
There have been conflicting reports regarding Potter’s future on Monday. The Athletic reported that Potter was appointed by Chelsea’s new owners with a long-term plan in mind and that they are not planning on sacking him just yet.
However, other reports have indicated that Potter needs to turn things around soon. Matt Law and The Telegraph reported that while the owners want to continue to back Potter, there is a growing feeling that the next two games will be “make or break” for the Englishman.
After spending more than £600 million this season, Keown is right to suggest Chelsea’s current squad is good enough to turn things around. But if they do not beat Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund in their next two games, Chelsea’s owners might be forced to act.
