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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Kieran King

Chelsea make decision on Graham Potter's future if they crash out of Champions League

Chelsea will stick with Graham Potter even if they lose to Leeds and Borussia Dortmund as the club plan to give him more time to turn it around.

The 47-year-old is under increased pressure from the Blues faithful after his side was beaten for the third successive game on Sunday afternoon. Chelsea suffered a 2-0 defeat at London rivals Tottenham courtesy of goals from Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane as their winless Premier League run stretched to five matches.

It was a result that kept Chelsea in 10th and they now require a miracle in their final 14 games to finish in the Champions League places. Despite their sluggish recent form, it is understood Todd Boehly and the club's board have no plans to sack Potter just yet and is willing to give him time to change their fortunes.

According to the Guardian, Chelsea are determined to be patient in the process and do not want to make a decision based on their next two matches. The Blues host Leeds in a crucial league outing on Saturday, before facing Dortmund in the Champions League second-leg at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday.

Potter's side fell to a 1-0 defeat in the first-leg at Signal Iduna Park on February 15 but were unfortunate not to score on the night as Enzo Fernandez and Mykhaylo Mudryk were amongst those to miss big chances. Winning the Champions League could be the Blues' biggest opportunity to play in that competition next season as they sit a mammoth 14 points behind Tottenham in the league table.

Meanwhile, it is understood owners Boehly and Clearlake Capital are still fully behind Potter and are aware of the bulky squad they have created after signing eight first-team players in January. They like the way Potter goes about his business on the training ground and believe he is good enough to get Chelsea back on the winning path.

Graham Potter is under pressure at Chelsea (Getty Images)

Despite having the support of the board, most Chelsea fans have run out of patience with the ex-Brighton boss after one win in 11 matches. Some also feel angered by the club's lack of scoring goals, having grabbed just one in their last six - with Joao Felix bagging that against West Ham.

However, the Portuguese may not even be at the club next season as he is on loan from Atletico Madrid, meaning Potter will need to find other solutions if he doesn't stay. Fellow new arrivals Mudryk and Noni Madueke have failed to find the back of the net, with the former particularly struggling for form since his £87m switch.

Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling have also not been at their best this season and need to step up if the Blues are to improve between now and the end of the season.

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