Graham Potter believes he still has the support of Chelsea's players despite the club's dismal form – but the Blues head coach accepts he must get his ideas across better if there is to be an upturn in results.
Chelsea have won just two of their previous 15 Premier League matches, and that has resulted in Potter's side becoming ensconced in tenth place and closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League positions. There have been little indications of progress being made, highlighted by the fact only four goals have been scored since the turn of the year.
Potter has come under inevitable pressure and while he has retained the faith of the club's owners thus far, their faith is being severely tested. Defeat to Leeds United would be extremely damaging with a Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Borussia Dortmund to come. And the Chelsea head coach appreciates a positive result is required.
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"When you’ve had the results we have had clearly it is not perfect otherwise you would have better results," Potter explained this afternoon. “Clearly, it is a process of how to get our message across better. How can we structure things in a way that helps the players because that is what we are here for?
"When results aren’t good, from my point of view, you have to accept that we haven’t done it well enough. Now that’s the reality we are in and I am sure the players will take responsibility and admit they can do better as well. We are in it together. I don’t feel any loss of anything.
“I feel the support of the players. I feel the support of everyone here. I understand the frustrations externally but among the players, it is a desire for us all to do better and that is the pleasing thing. The results haven’t been good but we are still there fighting for each other."
Potter continued: “You can imagine given the moment we’re in that we’re looking into everything to understand what’s happening and how you can improve it. As I said, I don't want to get too bogged down with context or reasons for anything, other than to say we are where we are and we have to work to improve it. That’s the message from me today.
"We’ve got a tough game tomorrow but it’s an opportunity for us to win. We play at home, we play in front of our supporters who I think will be behind the team. We have to try to execute and play well.”
What does need to improve immediately is how Chelsea react to adversity. The Blues have lost on the previous nine occasions they have fallen behind in games – and they have only come back to win after trailing twice all season. Is that something Potter is working on?
He replied: "It isn’t because they’re not trying, it isn't because they’re lacking character. It’s because we are trying to find a way together. This is a team that’s been bought together over a couple of windows, that's quite a significant change, so in terms of a strong team, it’s hard to get that at this point.
"Sometimes when you go through these tough moments that [extra] bit isn’t there – and that’s where we have to keep working with the team and why we keep having to have these moments together. Sometimes you gain strength from them and that’s how you come through as a team, by suffering and coming through the moments. As it is we’re not there. I have to help the players get there.”
As has been the case of much of his tenure, Potter will be without several players against Leeds United. Edouard Mendy (finger) is ruled out. Cesar Azpilicueta (concussion), N'Golo Kante (hamstring), Christian Pulisic (knee), Mason Mount (abdomen), and Armando Broja (knee) too.
There will also be no Thiago Silva. The Brazilian suffered a knee injury against Tottenham Hotspur last week and is expected to be ruled out for six weeks. The 38-year-old has been Chelsea's standout performer this season and his absence from the side will be felt, both in terms of his ability but also because of his leadership qualities.
Potter accepts that Silva's influence can't be replaced but is hopeful other members of his side will step out of the Brazilian's shadow. He said: "I think you’re always going to miss a player and a person of Thiago Silva’s quality. But at the same time, it’s an opportunity for other players.
"Wesley [Fofana] is coming back into the team from a long injury, so we’ve missed him. He’s a different type of person to Thiago, of course, but he has qualities as well. So that’s the challenge. That’s exciting – for people to emerge and develop into a role that is left vacant.
"There’s not another Thiago Silva so we need to find a solution as a group together. I think that’s what the players have been working towards. We’ve had a good training week, good feedback, and honest conversations. I feel the support from the players. I feel the support from the people in the building.
"There is no doubt there are people in the squad and team who can step forward and add more in terms of performance on the pitch: leadership and all those things. Just like I can. We’re all in this moment where we have to be honest and say we can do better. We want to do better and that’s what we’re striving for every day to do. But that needs to be shown on the pitch."
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