Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink backs Graham Potter to succeed at Chelsea
Former Chelsea and Leeds United striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has backed Blues manager Graham Potter to succeed at the club. This comes after Potter is under pressure from a section of the fans for poor results in the past few games.
Potter took charge of the west London club in early September after to much surprise then coach Thomas Tuchel was sacked by Todd Boehly. The German had helped the club win the Champions League in 2021.
Things started very well under the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager. The Blues remained unbeaten in his first nine games in all competitions, winning six matches in the process.
A first defeat came in the hands of his former club when the Blues were embarrassed 4-1 last month. Since then, things have gone a bit downhill for Potter and the west London club.
Chelsea have lost their last three games in all competitions, which included defeats like a 1-0 loss to Arsenal and 2-0 defeat against Manchester City. This has led to the manager coming under pressure from a certain section of the fanbase.
However, former striker Hasselbaink has come to Potter’s rescue. While speaking on behalf of Grosvenor Casinos (h/t Football. London), the former Blues player has defended the gaffer.
“If you want to build something, you have to build it from the bottom. Yes, there are going to be difficult moments, but you need to stay with the plan. You might have to tweak it here and there, but you have to stay with your beliefs, you have to stay with your vision, and you have to give the manager the time.”
“Whatever you say, people are going to have their opinion – and they are entitled to have their opinion. They’re entitled to say whatever they say, but I don’t think that it is going to stop the Chelsea owner. They need to have their vision, their direction, and you know, the more haters, the better for Chelsea. As simple as that.”
The past few results have not been favourable, but Potter cannot be completely blamed for that. First-team players like N’Golo Kante, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Kepa Arrizabalaga have been injured, contributing to the pressure already there for the manager.
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With the league now at a halt for the World Cup, the Blues currently sit eight on the table with 21 points, eight behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Maybe this break will help Potter and the Blues can bounce back with much better results in the second half of the season.
