The pressure continuing to pile up on Graham Potter certainly doesn’t seem to show any sign of abating and the Chelsea manager has most unexpectedly seemingly deflected some of the blame towards the Blues’ pre-season preparations under former gaffer Thomas Tuchel.
Chelsea players allegedly told the former Brighton manager their final pre-season under the German tactician was the “worst pre-season they’ve had”.
It is old news now that Potter is under huge pressure at Stamford Bridge having only recorded two victories from the Blues’ last 14 matches in all competitions. With the West Londoners currently languishing in tenth position and eleven points away from fourth-placed rivals Tottenham Hotspur, it is no wonder Potter is feeling the grave discomfort, after having repeatedly received the unwavering support and resolute backing of new co-owner Todd Boehly, who had been unhesitant in showing his ruthless side when he coldly sacked Tuchel and brought Potter from Brighton and Hove Albion.
In his latest press pre-match conference ahead of their vital clash against Antonio Conte’s side, Potter somehow chose to shift the glaring spotlight focused on him to highlight issues within the club’s pre-season preparations under their former Champions League-winning boss.
“Speaking to a few of the experienced guys, they said it was the worst pre-season they’ve had,” Potter said. “Organisationally, the tour didn’t work as well as they’d like. I wasn’t there so I can’t say.”
Interestingly, Potter is not the only person to point a disapproving finger at the club’s pre-season as Tuchel himself had also expressed his frustration with their summer preparations, when the West Londoners spent a fortnight in the United States, where they barely scraped through to beat Club America, frustratingly lost on penalties to Charlotte FC, and were subsequently mauled 4-0 by an imperious Arsenal.
Tuchel had been so unhappy with the pre-season responsibilities he even admitted that Chelsea were not ready to start the season, and this was five days before their opening Premier League clash away to Everton.
“It was a pretty long pre-season. Tiring and exhausting to be in the US for so long, and having to travel again today under the circumstances is not so easy, pretty demanding.
“After this weekend we prepare for nothing else other than Everton. The season is right in front of the door. There is a lot of positive stuff but we need to improve.
“We are not ready yet. We don’t have to be ready yet. We have another week and then it is time to be on the best level. It is always nice when the season arrives. We will have this week. There is still some way to go.”
Be that as it may, Chelsea are in a situation of clear and present danger and are in desperate need of a victory in North London.
Having lost 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash, Chelsea’s hopes for European football will likely hinge on their ability to get into the top four.