Chelsea head coach Graham Potter could be facing a fight to save his job once again after watching side fall into the bottom half of the Premier League with a toothless 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. The west London club are now 11th and remain 11 points behind Tottenham as a top-four finish now looks beyond the Premier League side, while a European spot next season is in doubt, and Todd Boehly may be reconsidering his backing off the Blues boss.
Ollie Watkins and John McGinn scored either side of the interval to leapfrog the Blues in the table and push Potter closer to the brink after another error-strewn display from his players.
Chelsea had several chances to score themselves, with 15 attempts overall, but failed to find the net once again as their goal worries continued as Potter was criticised by Sky Sports commentator Andy Hinchcliffe for failing to get the basics right.
But he was hardly helped by some of his big-money sigings, as Express Sport look at three players who cost £194million combined that let him down.
Marc Cucurella
Potter has put up a staunch defence of Cucurella in recent months after revealing he had endured a tough period since his £62m move. If only the Spaniard could do the same for his manager.
The former Brighton full-back looks a shadow of himself in the same role he excelled in at Brighton and made a catastrophic error to gift Villa the lead, first misjudging the time to close down the ball and then heading the ball into Watkins’ path.
Few would argue Cucurella has improved Chelsea after a string of poor displays, and if it weren’t for a defensive crisis, Potter surely wouldn’t continue with him in the side. If he wants to keep his job, it may be time for him to have a difficult conversation with the Spaniard.
Mykhaylo Mudryk
In January, Arsenal opted to sign Leandro Trossard for £21m instead of spending at least three times as much on their top target Mudryk and, as it stands, it could be a decision that helps them win the title. Chelsea opted to bring in the latter who is still waiting for his first goal – and his profligacy is becoming a problem for Potter.
The 22-year-old has shown plenty of endeavour in his first few months in the Premier League but with no finishing product. But against Villa, he was handed two golden opportunities to open his Chelsea account and squandered both chances.
First, he reacted quickly to a loose ball inside the box and fired straight at Emi Martinez. Then, he raced clear after a fine pass from Joao Felix but took his shot far too quickly and fluffed his lines. Potter applauded his effort, but deep down, both of them will know it’s simply way below what people expect of the Ukrainian.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Although not technically a Potter signing, the 47-year-old has used the Senegalese at the heart of the backline since moving to a back three formation. His performances of late have improved, but this was a display from a player who often lacks the concentration required to play in such a pivotal role.
The 31-year-old failed to heed the warning sign when Watkins escaped his attention and dragged his effort wide. Minutes later, the same striker burst clear after Cucurella’s error and lobbed Kepa Arrizabalaga.
A player of his experience and defensive quality should demand better of himself. On some occasions, he swept up the danger but it was often caused by the lack of organsiation in front of him. Chelsea can only hope Thiago Silva is on the road to recovery after the £34m man’s day to forget.