Rio Ferdinand has claimed on his ‘Five’ podcast that Graham Potter will eventually come good at Chelsea.
There have been questions asked over the former Brighton man as Blues boss already, after consecutive defeats in the Premier League.
In truth, it’s now four league games in a row without a win, although they have been interrupted by victories in the Champions League.
The loss at the weekend in particular was a damning indicator of where Chelsea are currently at. The defeat to Arsenal was dominant in fashion, if not on the scoreline.
However, it shouldn’t be forgotten the strong start Potter has made with his brand new players.
Ferdinand appears to be in that camp too, claiming if he is backed properly they will get the best out of him.
Ferdinand backs Potter
He said: “They’ve got a manager now who they’ve given their ideas to, and he’s probably said to them yeah that’s what I like as well but this is how it needs to run from my perspective, and they’ve merged that together.
“I believe in Potter as a coach. Forget about everything else, in the way he coaches and the way he can make a team play football, you think this guy is a coach among coaches.
“It’s the recruitment then and the carrying of big players, and making sure it stands alongside the principals of the way he wants to coach. If they believe in the project long term, you’ve got a good chance.”
With the mid-season break approaching, Potter will be handed the opportunity to be given time to work on his system and starting side, both of which have been altered a lot in the games since he has arrived.
While many of the players will be representing their country, the break from league action is exactly what the Blues need.