Chelsea will give support to manager after death threats

Graham Potter has been targeted after the club's recent poor form

Author: Adam FawcettPublished 25th Feb 2023

Chelsea say they have promised to offer Graham Potter whatever support he needs after the manager was sent emails threatening him and his family.

Potter said he had been targeted by an anonymous account in the wake of the team's recent poor form, which continued with a 1-0 home defeat by Southampton last Saturday.

Afterwards some supporters behind the dugout at Stamford Bridge called for the manager to leave, with the atmosphere turning increasingly hostile as the game wore on. Personal attacks on social media have also increased following the loss to Saints, but those have now escalated to threats being sent to him directly.

Potter says that recent months have taken a toll on him personally, and he has bullishly rejected accusations that a calm demeanor in the face of adversity means he does not care about the club.

He said, "If you go to work and somebody's swearing abuse at you, it's not going to be pleasant," said Potter. "You can answer it two ways. I could say I don't care, but you know I'm lying. Everyone cares what people think, because we're hardwired to be socially connected.

"I want to succeed here. There's nonsense (being said) that I don't care. Where does that come from? Where's your evidence on that? Ask my family. People have a perception I don't care - what's that based on? How do you know?

"You could ask my family how life has been for me and for them. It's been not pleasant at all. I understand supporters go home and they're annoyed because the team aren't winning. But I assure you, my life for the last three or four months has been fairly average.

Potter will be without his captain Cesar Azpilicueta for the Spurs game after he was knocked unconscious during the defeat by Southampton. The 33-year-old was taken to hospital but was discharged on Tuesday to continue his recovery at the club's Cobham training base.

Long-term absentees Christian Pulisic and N'Golo Kante are training with the squad but neither is ready to return, though there were reports this week that the latter, out of contract in the summer, is close to agreeing a deal to remain at the club.

The manager has an otherwise-full squad to choose from as he looks to lift Chelsea out of a slump that has seen them win just twice in 14 games.

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