Paul Merson has defended ‘bang unfortunate’ Graham Potter amid mounting strain at Chelsea however instructed struggling striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang he's ‘accomplished’ at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea initially impressed after Potter changed Champions League-winning Thomas Tuchel, however the Blues have since slipped to tenth within the Premier League, 10 factors outdoors the top-four and 19 behind leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea’s type had led to hypothesis that new proprietor Todd Boehly might sack Potter, however Merson believes the previous Brighton boss has been ‘bang unfortunate’ throughout his tenure in west London and deserves extra time.
‘I believe Graham Potter has been bang unfortunate, if I’m being trustworthy,’ the previous Arsenal and England winger instructed Sky Sports activities.
‘The way in which they play, with three on the again, a very powerful factor is to have two good wing-backs, however Reece James and Ben Chilwell are injured they usually have additionally been caught with no centre-forward.
‘I hope he will get time as a result of I don’t imagine he has grow to be a foul supervisor in a single day.
‘It’s a tough one as a result of he’s had so many accidents, however the issue if you’re in hassle is that each sport is adopted by a tough sport.
‘You might be crying out for a Forest at residence – no disrespect to Forest – however they only don't come alongside. As a substitute, you get Man Metropolis twice.
‘I believe he has been unlucky with each accidents and the fixtures. To stumble upon Man Metropolis twice when you're underneath strain and you haven't obtained a full crew, you might be at all times going to be up in opposition to it.
‘He's placing children in and a few of them have accomplished effectively, nevertheless it’s a tough scenario. There’s quite a lot of work to be accomplished on the squad, notably in assault.
‘They've spent some huge cash on defenders, however you might be solely going to win one thing for those who can rating a aim.
‘I rack my mind for who's on the market. There’s just one striker I can consider and that’s Harry Kane, however I don’t suppose he would wish to go to Chelsea and I don’t suppose Tottenham would promote him to Chelsea.
‘However you go world wide and there's not an apparent centre-forward for them wherever. That’s a giant downside.
‘I fear for Potter that the followers are singing Thomas Tuchel’s title as a result of, on the finish of the day, it’s the followers who sack you.’
Whereas Merson has backed Potter to stay in cost, he believes we're witnessing ‘the tip’ of Aubameyang’s Premier League profession, simply 5 months after he joined Chelsea from Barcelona.
Former Arsenal captain Aubameyang has scored three objectives in 15 appearances for Chelsea and was subbed on solely to be subbed off in the course of the Premier League defeat to Manchester Metropolis final week.
Merson added: ‘I believe Aubameyang will now be moved on. I believe they'll minimize their ties with him.
‘As quickly as you might be sub-subbing a 30-something participant, I believe that's in all probability the tip. Possibly you will get away with it with a youthful participant, however in soccer it’s a kind of unwritten guidelines. It’s a don’t-do.
‘However Potter did it with him at 33 and, for me, I believe he’s accomplished. It’s an instance of why recruitment is such a giant downside for Chelsea.
‘They've introduced a few gamers in already and it appears like they'll have a go within the switch window. They must. The highest 4 appears very far-off proper now however there’s an extended approach to go.
‘However for those who do this January enterprise and, abruptly, Potter goes every week or two later, then one other supervisor will are available in and say, “Effectively, I don’t like him, I didn’t need him.”
‘That’s what’s occurred with Aubameyang. Potter didn't need him, but when he's now sacked and another person is available in, they'll go, “Effectively, I don’t need that centre-half or that centre-half.”
‘Then it’s like you're going round in circles once more. That’s why Potter has obtained to be given extra time for my part.’
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