Graham Potter job 'still safe at Chelsea despite fans booing'

Chelsea reportedly have no intention of sacking head coach Graham Potter despite the club's poor run of form.

The 47-year-old made a solid start to life at Stamford Bridge after replacing Thomas Tuchel in September, winning six and drawing three of his first nine games in charge across all competitions.

However, Potter has since endured a torrid run of just three wins, four draws and nine defeats in his last 16 matches with the Blues, winning only once in 10 games since the turn of the year.

A slender 1-0 loss in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund last Wednesday was followed by a disappointing home defeat by the same scoreline against Premier League basement club Southampton last weekend.

Chelsea's latest setback against the Saints was met with a cacophony of boos from the Stamford Bridge faithful, and the pressure continues to mount on Potter's shoulders.

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The West Londoners are out of both domestic cup competitions and are at risk of failing to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, while they currently sit 10th in the Premier League table, 11 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.

Widespread changes have been made at the club since the arrival of co-owner Todd Boehly, who spent in excess of £300m on eight new players in January, including the British-record acquisition of midfielder Enzo Fernandez, while a similar sum was splashed out on seven players over the summer prior to Potter's arrival.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion boss is yet to see his newly-formed squad gel, and although many Chelsea supporters are unhappy, The Mirror claims that the club's hierarchy will continue to support the Englishman through this tough period.

The report adds that the most recent loss against Southampton has not changed the board's mind with regards to Potter's future, and they intend to give him more time to turn the club's fortunes around.

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Speaking to reporters after last weekend's match, as quoted by Sky Sports, Potter said: "After a 1-0 defeat at home, any criticism you get is understandable. We've had a tough period and lots of challenges in terms of integrating young players in the Premier League.

"When you don't get results, it can be tough. That's how it is. Some people will think I'm the problem. I don't think they're right but that doesn't mean they can't articulate their views.

"We took a step back in terms of our performance in the first half. The response in the second half was good but not good enough."

Potter, who is under contract at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2027, is now preparing his Chelsea side for a London derby away against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday.