Graham Potter fears his training sessions at Chelsea are being undermined by having too many players to work with.
Chelsea currently have a first-team squad of 31 following an extraordinary January transfer window which saw the owners spend £323million on eight new players, with only Jorginho leaving Stamford Bridge, although new signings Andrey Santos and Malo Gusto have not been registered to play this season.
Potter has previously admitted that maintaining squad morale is proving a challenge because 'most players want to play,' and after a month of working with the larger group there are now concerns that the bloated numbers are affecting work on the training pitch.
In his previous jobs at Brighton, Swansea and Ostersunds Potter developed a reputation as a very hands-on coach who worked rigorously on patterns of play and team shape in training, but that approach is proving challenging at Chelsea as there are so many players to accommodate.
Instead of his preferred method of running 11 v 11 training matches Potter has been forced to alter his coaching sessions to keep all the players involved, or leave several hanging around or working in a smaller group elsewhere until they are required.
As a result Potter has struggled to maintain continuity during training sessions, never mind during matches. The manager made six changes to the side beaten at Tottenham on Sunday as Chelsea slumped to a third successive defeat.
Potter has been able to accommodate all Chelsea's new players in his 25-man Premier League squad, as those aged 22 or under are registered separately, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke and David Datro Fofana were omitted from their Champions League squad.
'There are challenges when you've got that many players,' Potter said earlier this month. 'There are challenges in terms of what role they play because most players want to play. They want to play, be on the pitch and help the team. When they are not, it is a challenge and it is a challenge for lots of reasons at this football club.
'When you go through a period of transition and the steps we've gone through then there are going to be periods when it is going to be tougher than you ideally want – it's not optimal. I am not complaining about it and I have to do my best to support and manage the club. Step by step I want to put the team in a better place than when I arrived.'
FootballArtista
0
Potter didn't ask half of these players and himself and the club are now paying a hefty price for this. I don't think he's clueless and stubborn manager; for all the things unsettling Chelsea right now, he's not the only one to blame. Boehly has his own share of the blame (more than half in my opinion) but no one is pointing fingers at him!
Blud, Chelsea's problem is bigger than GP; as you had said and very well, they're going thru a period..
Richyrichcfc93765
1
Ofc they will bounce back cos they are a big team. They need to be clinical otherwise will spend many years fighting to return to their glory days. Boehly is not doing a great job to start with.. Look at how Newcastle have invested and at the same time improved in a short space of time; they're right back at it without spending crazy money..
Bro, what do you think would've happened if this club (Chelsea) was handled by a good tactical coach?. GP is not the coach for Chelsea, the reason why those boys are not happy with him... they want him out. Chelsea have a good squad, a good tactical coach who can handle this squad is the problem now.
FootballArtista
0
Yeah!. it's Chelsea time, they'll bounce back
Ofc they will bounce back cos they are a big team. They need to be clinical otherwise will spend many years fighting to return to their glory days. Boehly is not doing a great job to start with.. Look at how Newcastle have invested and at the same time improved in a short space of time; they're right back at it without spending crazy money..
Richyrichcfc93765
1
Chelsea is going thru this period..
Yeah!. it's Chelsea time, they'll bounce back
FootballArtista
1
Yeah!... you may have a point there. But every team pass through this period. Chelsea will bounce back stronger
Chelsea is going thru this period..
Richyrichcfc93765
1
All I can say is Chelsea are a real mess right now but not all is down to the manager..
Yeah!... you may have a point there. But every team pass through this period. Chelsea will bounce back stronger
FootballArtista
1
And don't forget Chelsea are making plans to let many players leave Stamford bridge this summer.
All I can say is Chelsea are a real mess right now but not all is down to the manager..
Richyrichcfc93765
0
Alright, I know very little about football and I acknowledge that. One thing I know for sure is that managers and their assistants request from their bosses players with certain qualities to perform their game strategies. How many defenders and forwards do Chelsea have? Don't all these players want to play week in week out? How is this affecting team performance? I guess you've never thought of these questions, right?
And don't forget Chelsea are making plans to let many players leave Stamford bridge this summer.
ceybcdekpy
1
please please potter go back to your team not chelsea is not a small team please ever game change players no me am not happy about you
pababeikpy
0
the problem is the owner not the coach ,coz u can't keep such an irritating coach like him at all costs
Jicknpuyz
0
what really you using all this player to train for you can win hold day your players are training stupid coach
jemablpstu
0
It’s not an easy thing being a Nigerian as well as a Chelsea fan this particular period cos lots of shege is ongoing
you gat it my brother
jemablpstu
1
how can you fire a coach and then hired a PE teacher? Mr POTTER since BOHELY doesn't want to sack you; you can resign with due respect please. Nigeria can't kill me and Chelsea is burying me at the same time....
Amunkete8
1
am telling ya mr poter if you continue trusting sterling,l-cheek, you're going no where .
madolgat
2
seriousness after warning
Kunlespur2
2
sacking a coach that gave his all to the team and forcing the pillars of the club like marina and cech to step down ....we are paying for our sins.
That’s what’s up bro…most Chelsea fans supported sacking Tuchel. And most of those signings Chelsea made were made by the owner not d coach.
Yoycdiloru
0
Mr. Potter are you playing the players in their best pisitions, are you selecting the team on merit, if so then results will come.
fitdilmru
0
We spent our money to see good result, but not bad result. Ziyech,Kai are very lazy.
FootballArtista
0
Then let him leave and give space for someone who'll be able to handle the bloated squad. You blame Toddy for giving him depth in the squad. You don't know anything about football
Alright, I know very little about football and I acknowledge that. One thing I know for sure is that managers and their assistants request from their bosses players with certain qualities to perform their game strategies. How many defenders and forwards do Chelsea have? Don't all these players want to play week in week out? How is this affecting team performance? I guess you've never thought of these questions, right?
naedeilm
0
Chelsea don't have to be worrying too much to play and win cups cos, they have potter who will mode cups in form of pot for them
VOsimhen9Fan
1
Potter is good for one thing alone and that's making Excuses
Andy_Mac
0
I wish I could just grab potter's neck and twists it
You might be able to twist his neck if you're lucky but it won't help you twist Chelsea's PL league table position this season 🤡
ABDULLAFAZEE
0
He knows nothing, just sacked him
Zuobdeipz
1
Everyday different excuse
Senabilmsu
1
Potter you very stupid why who i you are stupid first you comple of per season now you are talking of too much players can you please live my club know patan
BertezMoon
0
that's not my problem for now, my problem is the feeling I have seeing Chelsea lose 😂😂😂 I feel 👍
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ericobiorah
0
that's not my problem for now, my problem is the feeling I have seeing Chelsea lose 😂😂😂 I feel 👍
well, I don't have words for you. the feelings are always mutual bro. same way I always feel when United are doing bad lol. na turn by turn
leyakos
1
Potter as made it clear that he is clueless; too many players on the field for a training session.He must be fired!!!
Waxeira1
0
The English have ways to defend their bunch
Etilomi0147
2
Now y’all can see Potter can never manage a big team!!
Mimiklnot
3
sack this full please we are tired of his inspirations
blueLion01
2
sacking a coach that gave his all to the team and forcing the pillars of the club like marina and cech to step down ....we are paying for our sins.
daoklosu
0
This man needs more time
@Toudmpoz enough is enough. potter is not the right man for the job.
jazdnosy
1
They were just buying everybody ,they got a group good enough to form two very strong team that can each win the EPL but it's not just working for them,have they offend the gods?
daoklosu
1
this guy might be daydreaming. which position was Chelsea when he came? 🤔. Boehly must do something before Chelsea find themselves in the division
rawalosu
0
that's not my problem for now, my problem is the feeling I have seeing Chelsea lose 😂😂😂 I feel 👍
you are a fool
woaadnopsu
1
potter i h hate you
GadKokil16k
0
Boehly's support could be enough to be relegated, I just get damn bored watching Chelsea play, they're playing nonsense week-in week-out and boehly still backing potter reveals how a low football mentality he has
BertezMoon
0
that's not my problem for now, my problem is the feeling I have seeing Chelsea lose 😂😂😂 I feel 👍
Coabcdemyz
0
Bro to be sincere I agree with you and I’m not saying he should get sacked because I’m tired of sacking coach but if I could see him and advise him I will say he make a wrong choice playing kai as 9 the guy is no where near any attributes of 9 to me I will still play fofa natural striker as 9 or joao. To me that yesterday match aub as nothing to offer he is just staying in box waiting for crosses to put in. To me I will still play madueke with Sterling yesterday because both of them can dribble and course problem not that ziyech. I’m a fan of ziyech but that guy is zero in Chelsea his not strong and he as no energy of playing in EPL look at Man U players look at the physical attributes they got all of them are ready to die there not like my Chelsea players the way they come to the pith is the same way they will leave you hardly see sliding or make good physical battle with opponents our problem is more than coach those players need to wake up
look at the way am looking at you, and you are talking rubbish with your mouth. that is what you guys where saying before that make us to sign all this players, you guys are still saying the same thing, I wonder if you have played for any team before, if you do you won't be saying this. Good coach give players instructions let leave the part playing to player strength, a good coach will set a tactics that is suitable to your players, see pep even a bad player with a good team chemistry is going to play well, he can't just go and sign any player
Yayabostu
2
potter OUT
sembiknrz
3
Give that excuse to your father at home, with all this quality players you can't win a single match. Brainless coach...I don't blame you
Stdismas
0
look what happened with Mikel Arteta at Arsenal
Nonsense
TheOrigRomessio
0
This man needs more time
U need a life
Stdismas
0
This man needs more time
Nonsense
zebaelmy
4
What is the point of getting so many expensive players when it is so obvious that they are not truly playing for Potter? Think the players are plotting to get rid of him as they feel he was biased in team selection and not good enough for them and the only way is by loosing and not playing wholeheartedly. Quite obviously they are asking for a manager which good silverware winning records.
Mopamnpuz
1
potter fck u wth your ziyech and kai havertz im fed up u,u only know 1formation umst introduce to 4,3,3 or 3,4,3 even 4,4,2
jiteikotuz
1
this is what happens when you buy players the coach did not ask for and too many players in the squad cant train properly
Toudmopuz
0
This man needs more time
sunaiklnrz
2
I never like anything about this dude from day one....