Pep Guardiola is urging Chelsea owner Todd Bohle to stay with Graham Potter after Manchester City’s win, as fans are reminded of Mikel Arteta’s early struggles at Arsenal.

[ad_1]

Pep Guardiola has urged Todd Bohle to give Graham Potter time to patch things up at Chelsea.

Potter is under increasing pressure just four months into his tenure as Chelsea manager after Manchester City were humiliated in the FA Cup with a 4-0 win at the Etihad Stadium.

GT

Chelsea were the second best team from start to finish in the third round match

GT

Chelsea fans turned on their manager during the match

Particularly bad was Chelsea’s performance, managing only one shot on goal in the match, as fans were heard chanting the name of Potter’s predecessor, Thomas Tuchel, during the second half.

“I can understand [the fans’] anger. “They are Chelsea supporters, they are used to better than this and I can understand their position,” Potter said.

“All I know is we’re working really hard. We’re in a difficult moment and I think if we want to achieve anything sometimes there’s going to be a struggle and that’s clearly where we are.

“This is the challenge for all of us, to try and stay together. I acknowledge the feelings of the supporters and I understand them.”

Potter’s men have won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions in a miserable run that has seen them exit the FA Cup and Carabao Cup as well as drop to 10th in the Premier League.

The poor form has led to some questioning his future at Stamford Bridge, but Guardiola has backed the former Brighton boss.

France Press agency

Guardiola referred to Potter’s work at Brighton in his defense of the Chelsea boss

Could Bohli be about to sack a manager who hired him just four months ago?

“I would say to Todd Boyle, give him time,” said Guardiola. “I know results are important at the big clubs, but I say give him time.

“The second half is what it is. What he did at Brighton is great, but… we need time in the first season. I had (Lionel) Messi at Barcelona my first season so I didn’t need two seasons because Messi was there.”

Meanwhile, talkSPORT’s Dean Ashton pointed to the difficulties Mikel Arteta faced early in his time as Arsenal manager when considering what Chelsea should do about Potter.

“Until he brings injured players back, until he’s been given enough time to sleep in some thoughts, you may have to accept that you can’t get through the levels at the moment,” Ashton said in a commentary on talkSPORT.

GT

Potter and Chelsea are in a rut

Did City accept, did Liverpool accept? They did and they gave their managers a chance.

“I think you have to give someone like Graham Potter time, players with injuries to come back, the long-term view or pull the trigger and accept they messed up.”

“I think Mikel Arteta is a prime example and he could help Graham Potter,” Ashton added.

“If the Chelsea ownership has seen how much ‘Arteta Out’ has been for a long period of time, but I’ve seen on some shows myself that I can see what Arteta wants…

“I haven’t really had a good period for Chelsea under Graham Potter where I can see what he wants and what he’s trying to do.”

[ad_2]