Pep Guardiola has urged Chelsea owner Todd Boehly to give new Blues boss Graham Potter time to turn things around at Stamford Bridge despite yet another disappointing result which saw them outclassed by his Manchester City side in the FA Cup 3rd round.
Since taking charge in September after completing a move from Brighton, Potter’s bright start in west London has fizzled out.
After winning five of his first six games, including two wins over Serie A champions AC Milan, the English boss has won just three of his last 12 games in the Chelsea hotseat, and though he can point to a raft of injuries to key players, the football itself has been far from reassuring.
And the atmosphere is becoming increasingly toxic.
They were 3-0 down at half time in the FA Cup third round against Manchester City, who they had fought to a narrow 1-0 defeat in midweek, and the away fans booed their side off at half time at the Etihad, before singing the name of former boss Thomas Tuchel throughout the second half.
Notorious for knee jerk sackings under former owner Roman Abramovich, there is little sign of Potter’s impending departure as it stands, though defeat on Thursday could see them fall out of the top half of the Premier League.
“I would say to Todd Boehly, ‘give him time’”, he began. “I know in big clubs, results are important but I’d say give him time.
“The second half is what he is. What he’s done at Brighton is outstanding, but…we need time in the first season. I had (Lionel) Messi in Barcelona my first season so I didn’t need two seasons because Messi was there.”
Should he be given time to turn things around, or are Chelsea better off cutting their losses?
