Chelsea warned Graham Potter appointment will cost them top four

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Former Chelsea defender Robert Huth believes his former employers may have blown Champions League qualification for next season already following the appointment of Graham Potter. The retired defender, who won a combined three Premier League titles during his time with the Blues and Leicester, believes the Chelsea hierarchy may have rushed into the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

The German tactician was relieved of his duties following the 1-0 Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb and just a matter of days later, Potter was in place at Cobham after a deal was struck with Brighton.

Yet Huth has concerns about Potter’s lack of top-level experience following a 1-1 draw in his opening Champions League match at the helm against Red Bull Salzburg.

He is now concerned Chelsea’s rash thinking could cost them their place in the top four…

Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes, Huth said: “How many times do we see these kind of decisions being made, where a manager is losing their job a couple of days after the transfer window closing?

“Chelsea should really be close to the top four, but I just think in terms of the other managers at the top end of the table – without being disrespectful to Potter whatsoever – the likes of Pep [Guardiola], [Jurgen] Klopp, [Antonio] Conte and [Mikel] Arteta, I think they’re all ahead of him in terms of experience at this level.

“I fear that Chelsea will miss out on the top four. Potter’s not had to compete for prizes, for trophies and for Champions League football before – not at this level.

“The top five or six teams in the division are very close in terms of quality on the pitch, but when it comes to the dugout, there are at least four other sides with more experienced managers which will be a massive advantage over the course of the season.”

There are now question marks surrounding Chelsea’s summer transfer business which was masterminded by Tuchel after he took on increased responsibility following the departure of director Marina Granovskaia.

DON’T MISS
Chelsea decide first signing for Graham Potter as two January transfers targeted
Chelsea owners ‘interested in signing Marcus Rashford’ from Man Utd on free transfer
Chelsea ‘could revisit three transfer deals’ as Graham Potter January priority identified

One of his last acts as Chelsea boss was to sign former striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who now looks like a lost cause following the departure of his manager.

For that reason, Huth has struggled to come to terms with the timing of the sacking given that Tuchel was a huge part of Chelsea’s recruitment drive.

“It’s such a vital time for players and managers, so it just doesn’t make sense to me. Whether or not something has gone on behind the scenes, I don’t know,” he added.

“If you’re Aubameyang, you’re obviously looking forward to working with Tuchel again, and now it’s gone out of the window and you’re playing for a new guy. I can’t make sense of it at all; it would have made much more sense if it happened before the season started, or if they gave him more time with this new group of players.

“We hear managers all the time talking about wanting their own players, and Graham Potter hasn’t been afforded that luxury, so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets them going. Nevertheless, it’s still a fantastic squad so there are no excuses on that front.”

Aubameyang has already offered assurances he is committed to the task ahead, speaking shortly after Tuchel’s shock departure.

He told Hayters TV: “Everyone knows the relationship that I had with Thomas.

“It’s always sad when someone leaves the club. Obviously, I just saw him for a few days. When you play football you have to adapt very quickly to some moments in the season, this can happen.”

Source: Read Full Article