Chelsea 0-1 Southampton: I am not the issue, says Graham Potter | Paul Merson: I do not see it altering | Soccer Information

Graham Potter insists he’s “not the issue” regardless of Chelsea’s season sinking to a brand new and alarming low as they have been overwhelmed 1-0 at Stamford Bridge by the Premier League’s backside aspect Southampton.

A transformed free-kick from James Ward-Prowse on the stroke of half-time put the Saints’ captain one objective behind David Beckham within the competitors’s all-time standings, and despatched Graham Potter’s workforce to a fourth consecutive winless match within the league.

With 5 of the membership’s eight January signings within the beginning XI, Potter noticed his workforce labour to seek out any invention towards a Saints aspect arrange by interim boss Ruben Selles to frustrate the hosts’ expensively-assembled attacking cavalry. Victory of their first match because the sacking of Nathan Jones was every little thing they deserved.

“After a 1-0 defeat at residence, any criticism you get is comprehensible,” mentioned Potter. “We have had a tricky interval and many challenges when it comes to integrating younger gamers within the Premier League.

“When you do not get outcomes, it may be robust. That is how it’s. Some individuals will suppose I am the issue. I do not suppose they’re proper however that does not imply they can not articulate their views.

“We took a step again when it comes to our efficiency within the first half. The response within the second half was good however not ok.”

Chelsea have scored simply as soon as at residence in 2023, and the shortage of a recognised striker was made painfully obvious but once more.

When requested if he was nonetheless the person for the job, and requested to clarify the delay to talk to the media, Potter mentioned: “There is no conspiracy. Sorry, I can not provide you with that.

“I at all times are available and converse to you guys and perceive the questions. After we’ve misplaced 1-0 at residence to Southampton, it is not ok due to the outcomes we have had not too long ago.”

There was but extra fear for Chelsea when Azpilicueta was carried from the sphere on a stretcher with an oxygen masks after being struck within the head by the boot of Sekou Mara as he tried to clear.

On Azpilicueta’s situation, Potter added: “He is in hospital so he is in one of the best place. He is aware and chatting with his spouse in order that’s good. We’ll hold monitoring him. We’ve got to take all of the precautions now because it was worrying. It was a horrible incident.”

Merson: I do not see issues altering

Sky Sports activities’ Paul Merson:

“First half, Southampton have been excellent. They have been closing Chelsea down, the higher workforce within the sport, lot extra power, knew what they have been doing, scored an excellent objective. Second half (Raheem) Sterling got here on – totally different sport. He was keen to make runs and he had two good probabilities each off the road.

“However Southampton labored so onerous. When Perraud obtained one off the road it was like he’d scored a objective. They’re cuddling one another. There appeared to be a togetherness. They have been all cuddling the supervisor on the finish. They deserved it.

“One is a workforce. The opposite is an absolute workforce of people. I’ve by no means seen something prefer it. The gamers they’ve introduced in – take away (Enzo) Fernandez as a result of he is a prime holding midfield participant – are all particular person footballers.

“All of them get on the ball and wish to beat 5 or 6 gamers and there is no passage of play. It was solely when Havertz and Sterling got here on that there was slightly little bit of motion. (Mason) Mount will get eaten up as a result of he passes the ball and the others are all dribbling it, so there is no phases within the sport. I used to be very dissatisfied. It was poor.

“I do not see this stopping. They’ve purchased a lorry load of people I am afraid. It is all dribblers.

“It is solely when Havertz comes on a begins taking part in with Felix and Sterling there are passages of play. I believe it is a huge, huge, huge interview now developing for Graham Potter.

“Chelsea followers can be completely fuming. They will not stand for this, oh Southampton have gotten a brand new supervisor in order that helped them… they don’t seem to be fearful about that. In the event you do not beat Southampton at residence, their goalkeeper needs to be one of the best participant on the pitch. He wasn’t.”

Selles: I already really feel I am the supervisor

Southampton took the lead in a well-recognized style. Ward-Prowse’s free-kick, the seventeenth he has now scored within the Premier League, couldn’t have been extra finely positioned, arcing over Chelsea’s wall and dropping crisply into the underside nook past Arrizabalaga’s despairing dive. Stamford Bridge, quiet till now, made its displeasure identified.

Inspiration for Chelsea wouldn’t strike and Southampton held on for a deserved win.

“It was a unbelievable efficiency from the workforce,” Selles mentioned.

“We moved preferred a unit. We had a strong plan, so I am joyful we gave ourselves the prospect to win the sport and to carry out.

“We knew we might have a couple of moments within the sport. It has been a really tough yr for us. You could possibly see the response from the gamers after the blocks, so I am very joyful for them.

“I recognized with the rules that have been there earlier than. It isn’t concerning the supervisor so we used a number of what was there. The gamers then put it along with the small print we gave them.

“Initially, I’m a supervisor [when asked if he is ready to step up and become manager]. However the second factor, it’s not for me [to decide]. We confirmed what we will do after a unbelievable outcome. I do not suppose an excessive amount of about it [the relegation picture]. It is about our efficiency and the way good we could be. Now, we’re targeted on Leeds. All I do know is that if a workforce beats us, they must be superb as we are going to make it very onerous.

“We’re a workforce that exhibits character and spirit. It was extra concerning the outcome at present as we confirmed a efficiency and a regular that we should now proceed. To be able to grow to be a winner in life, initially it’s worthwhile to lose and to study out of your losses. It’s a course of. We do not know what is going to come subsequent however we are going to now do all our greatest to win subsequent week.

“The boys simply threw me in! The sport is concerning the gamers. I did not wish to lead them [the celebrations]. I simply needed to say thanks to the followers for his or her assist.”

What’s subsequent?

Chelsea’s subsequent sport is a large one, with Graham Potter’s aspect travelling to London rivals Tottenham on Sunday February 26, reside on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 1.30pm.

The Blues then host Leeds on Saturday March 4; kick-off 3pm.

Southampton even have a giant sport subsequent weekend, with a visit to Leeds – one other aspect which might be battling towards relegation – on Saturday; kick-off 3pm.

Saints then host Grimsby within the FA Cup on Wednesday March 1; kick-off 7.15pm.