Last night, Graham Potter took charge of his first ever game in the Champions League. It also happened to be his first game as the new Chelsea manager.
I knew it would happen if we didn’t win, but right on que, some fans began over-reacting after the game and completely writing Potter off, saying it was just the same as under Thomas Tuchel, etc, etc, etc. It was, sort of. But what did we really expect? Miracles from Potter?
It was very predictable once that final whistle went and Chelsea had only managed a draw at home to RB Salzburg. I was equally frustrated and annoyed that we didn’t win the game. However, the thought process in my mind was always that regardless of that, and it being the same old story in attack and mistakes at the back, deep down it’s always been obvious that Potter does not have a magic wand (he’s not Harry) and things were never going to change immensely in ONE GAME! Not only that, he has only had a few training sessions with these players, so any changes in system or style of play, are going to have to wait a little bit longer I am afraid.
Potter has a lot of work to do, but we all knew that. Some of these players have just not been good enough and are far too inconsistent, we already knew this. So, it wasn’t a shock to see us waste another two points in a game we should have buried. If Potter is going to change any of this, he needs time to implement it and people should NOT even be thinking about writing him off after one damn game.
If anything, there was evidence of improvements and encouragements. The system tweaks he did make had a positive impact, such as Raheem Sterling at wingback, and the flat three midfielders allowing Mason Mount to be more comfortable and also providing extra cover behind the wingbacks giving them freedom. We had much more of an attacking overload and had some good moments of play.
It will not happen overnight, but I genuinely believe improvements will come. Some of these players just aren’t good enough, sure, and there is only so much a manager can do. But I have faith that we will continue to see some good changes in the team, we just have to be patient a little bit, as well as frustrated maybe, naturally.
