There aren't many ways that football is being kind to Graham Potter but every cloud needs a silver lining right now. The manager is under immense pressure to turn the ship around at Stamford Bridge and to fix a run of no wins in six matches.
Outside of that there has been just one win in 11 games with four goals scored, since November the Blues are in true relegation form. That hasn't yet convinced co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital to part ways with their asset but questions are being asked.
Now, with two games coming up at home, and five of the next six all being at Stamford Bridge, Potter has a small bit of respite. His side have a chance to amend for their failures so far this season. It may be considered as the least they can do in some circumstances.
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Having not won a single game against teams above them in the league - five draws from 11 games - the next four league fixtures give a chance at overturning the bad feeling festering at the club. With historic rivals Leeds up next, travelling to SW6 on Saturday afternoon, the Yorkshire side are in the bottom three.
That doesn't offer immediate solace for Potter's side, who have lost twice to bottom side Southampton already this season as well as being hammered 3-0 away to Leeds in the reverse fixture. It is, however, a better outcome than facing Manchester City or Arsenal at this current time.
According to William Hill Potter is 1/14 to be in charge for that game, making it a near certainty. The following fixtures are less secure though. Dortmund, as mentioned, may well be the final straw should the Blues not manage to progress despite their 1-0 deficit from the away leg.
He is just 2/7 to be in the dugout for that game with spokesperson Lee Phelps explaining the situation, saying: “Graham Potter will be hoping Chelsea’s fortunes can flip as his odds to be in charge on the final day of the season continue to lengthen.
“He is now just 7/4 to be in control at Stamford Bridge on the final day and may even find himself out of the job earlier if results don’t improve. Unfortunately for the ex-Brighton manager, the Chelsea supporters demand results and are calling for his head. Potter is now just 8/11 to be in charge at the end of March and 2/7 to lead the Blues out against Dortmund on Tuesday next week.”
After that it is back to bottom half sides with a trip to Leicester, a team they managed to scrape by with ten men earlier this season in a 2-1 win. That was Thomas Tuchel's last game in charge in the league. The Foxes have been on a mixed run and once more appear, on paper, to give Chelsea some hope of picking up some points.
That game is then followed by a home fixture against Everton. Chelsea also beat Everton in the reverse fixture but will face a determined Sean Dyche side aiming to climb out of the bottom three. This is once more followed up by yet another home clash, with Unai Emery's Aston Villa coming to Stamford Bridge.
If Potter is to turn things around then it will need to start sooner rather than later with Leeds the perfect chance to build up even a little bit of confidence before the big European night. After that there will be serious questions for everyone involved if results don't pick up against those below them in the table.
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