Chelsea respond to Graham Potter sack speculation - sources

By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

23rd Feb, 2023 | 11:06am

Revealed: Chelsea board change stance on sacking Graham Potter - sources

There is a growing consensus among the Chelsea board that they may have to sack Graham Potter if there is not a significant and immediate improvement in results, sources have told Football Insider.

The board are hopeful that the former Brighton boss has what it takes to turn things around and the message coming out of the club since the defeat to Southampton last weekend is that they will stand by him.

However, there is a private feeling among members of the hierarchy that they may have to act soon.

There is said to be strong unrest within the Stamford Bridge powerbrokers over the recent performances of the team.

But, the increasingly likely prospect of no European football next season could be off-putting for potential targets if they choose to part ways with Potter.

Potter has overseen the club’s worst run since 1995 despite a squad investment of nearly £600million since Boehly’s consortium took over at Stamford Bridge.

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The Blues are currently tenth in the Premier League with 31 points from 23 games and are 11 points off Tottenham who are in the final Champions League spot ahead of this weekend’s games.

But, Football Insider has been told that the Blues see Potter as a long-term manager and are understanding of the amount of change he has overseen since taking the job.

Other candidates have been floated and the pressure on Potter is growing over the next few games, which include a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium to face their London rivals.

On Wednesday (22 February), sources told this site that the Blues are “keen” on former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane as a replacement for the current boss.

His profile and status, as well as his success with Real Madrid, is viewed by the Chelsea hierarchy as a potentially perfect fit for the young player at Stamford Bridge.

In other news, according to sources, Chelsea are frontrunners in Premier League race to sign Neymar amid ‘£70m’ offer reveal.