‘Suffering’ Potter desperate for Blues to stick together

GRAHAM POTTER admitted he is ‘suffering’ as Chelsea manager but was given a ringing endorsement by Pep Guardiola despite his mounting problems. The Manchester City boss met Chelsea owner Todd Boehly at the Etihad Stadium yesterday and wants the Chelsea supremo to give Thomas Tuchel’s successor time to turn their fortunes around. Potter, who rejected any talk of bad attitudes in the dressing room, claimed to have sympathy for dissenting voices from the away end as they chanted for Tuchel and Roman Abramovich.

‘This opponent is the worst you can play when you’re not doing well,’ Potter said. ‘They can make you look like you’re not running and trying. The results in a small space of time are not positive. You can make excuses, look for reasons, or you can say it isn’t good enough. Both of those are correct. ‘Clearly we are suffering and it’s not nice at all. You can understand the fans’ frustration and we respect that. There are always other opinions and criticism because results haven’t been positive. ‘We need to stay together, support each other and I’m sure we’ll get the support of the supporters when they see good results.’ Guardiola was adamant that Potter, who is under increasing scrutiny, should be backed. ‘I would say to Todd Boehly, “Give him time”. What he has done at Brighton is outstanding, but he’s right, we need time in the first season. I had Lionel Messi in Barcelona my first season so I didn’t need two seasons because Messi was there. To play against City, when we are at this level, it’s not easy for any team.’ Potter confirmed that winger Christian Pulisic is out for ‘weeks’ after a knee injury sustained against City last Thursday. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed out yesterday with a bad back.