Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic has, on Friday, moved to defend recently-dismissed head coach Graham Potter.
The news which Blues supporters the world over had long been calling for was of course finally made official last weekend.
This came in the form of confirmation that the aforementioned Graham Potter had been sent on his way with immediate effect.
In a statement across the club’s website and social media platforms, Chelsea announced that:
‘Graham Potter has departed the club. Graham has agreed to collaborate with the Club to facilitate a smooth transition. In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter final of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid. Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future.
Club statement.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 2, 2023
The decision of the powers that be at Stamford Bridge to send Potter packing, of course, came amid what has proven nothing short of an abysmal stretch of form overseen by the English tactician.
This came owing to a record of just ten wins from 28 outings.
And yet, as alluded to above, one high-profile member of the first-team setup in west London who is of the opinion that his now-former manager was saddled with an exorbitant level of blame comes in the form of Mateo Kovacic.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Friday, midfielder Kovacic moved to defend Potter, adamant that he and his Chelsea teammates are deserving of just as much criticism for the club’s struggles across the season to date.
“We need to be honest with ourselves.
“In the end it’s easier to sack a coach than 30 players, but it’s on us as well, we need to do better.
“We have to say thank you to Potter, who was here, who did a good job, but it’s not easy when there are many changes here, so it was a tough situation for him as well.”
Mateo Kovacic breaks silence on Frank Lampard’s return to Chelsea and reveals who’s to blame for Graham Potter sackinghttps://t.co/bfsZ96J7nf
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) April 7, 2023
