As Chelsea fans emerged from Stamford Bridge into the streets of London after Saturday’s narrow victory over Leeds, a group of supporters could be heard wryly chanting: “We’ve scored a goal!” »
It’s gallows humor for a club accustomed to challenging the top of the table, but the fact that a first home goal since January 15 is being celebrated in this way shows where the Blues stand at the moment.
The win against Leeds was just Chelsea’s third in 16 games, and while it will help ease the pressure on boss Graham Potter, it will need to be followed by a big performance against Borussia Dortmund in their second leg of the knockout stages of the Champions League on Tuesday evening. to suggest the former Brighton manager has turned a corner.
Potter declined to describe it as a turning point in the post-match press conference.
“It’s a nice three-pointer, an important three-pointer,” he said. “It’s good for confidence and morale. Boys suffer because they care. Fans are hurting too.
“The win gives us a chance to recover for a massive game on Tuesday. »
A late goal but “problems still there”
Wesley Fofana’s second-half goal against Leeds ended a 396-minute run without Chelsea scoring.
They had plenty of chances to add more in a particularly impressive 30-minute opener as Kai Havertz was denied one-on-one, Joao Felix hit the bar and Ben Chilwell fired wide when it was easier to score.
When Fofana scored there was an outpouring of relief around Stamford Bridge, which was followed by frustration as Chelsea failed to build on it and instead found themselves hanging on against a side from Leeds who have won only once this season.
Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It wasn’t convincing.
“They did some good things with pace but they should have been more clinical. »
| Crew | Buts |
| Nottingham Forest | dix |
| Southampton | 9 |
| crystal palace | 8 |
| Chelsea | 7 |
| Everton | 6 |
“The problems are still there,” added BBC pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy.
“Chelsea are going to struggle because they don’t seem to want to score any goals. »
Since early November, Chelsea have scored just seven Premier League goals – only Everton have managed fewer.
A negative manager? Some fans remain skeptical
Speaking to some fans leaving the field after the game, they are not sure Potter is the man to take Chelsea forward, especially with the squad he has at his disposal.
The Blues spent almost €300m in January, including breaking the British record to sign the Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez for 107 million eurosbut none of the newcomers was able to improve Chelsea’s score.
“We have good players, they just need to be put in the right position,” Blues fan Jo O’Gorman told BBC Sport. “Potter is very negative and it showed with his replacements [against Leeds].
“He’s a good manager but he’s not an elite manager. He can’t take us any further. »
Chelsea supporter Paul Stephens added: “He took Sterling and Felix out and put in two midfielders. I know you have to hold on for the win, but there are ways to do it.
“If Mourinho or Tuchel was the manager of this set of players, we would be 100% better. »
Potter was a lively presence on the touchline against Leeds – something he didn’t always appear – and certainly showed he was determined to prove himself at Chelsea and win over unconvinced fans. that he is the right man for the job.
“Talking is cheap,” he said.
“I strongly believe in the players and the team, but I also recognize that the results have not been good enough and that is my responsibility. Any criticism is therefore absolutely fair and justified.
“We have to take it, try to improve and win. It’s work. »
If Potter can follow up Saturday’s win by overturning a 1-0 deficit against Borussia Dortmund and keeping Chelsea in the Champions League, then he could well get through what has been a hugely trying start to his managerial career at Stamford Bridge. .
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