Graham Potter has defended Marc Cucurella after the left-back was booed by Chelsea fans when he came on in their Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund.
The Spaniard has struggled for form since his £63million move to Stamford Bridge last summer and received jeers from the travelling supporters at the Signal Iduna Park as he replaced Ben Chilwell on Wednesday. Cucurella came on for the final 19 minutes as the Blues fell to a 1-0 last-16 first-leg defeat in Germany.
Cucurella isn't the only Chelsea star who has struggled this season, with a number of high-profile players also failing to live up to expectations as the Blues languish in mid-table in the Premier League. They have won just eight of their 22 Premier League matches, while also only winning one of their last seven matches in all competitions.
In his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Southampton on Saturday afternoon, Potter claimed that Cucurella has been made a scapegoat for Chelsea's issues this season. Cucurella has started 17 matches for the Blues this term, with Chilwell only just returning from a long-term injury lay-off.
"The results that we are having, where we are in the table, unfortunately somebody will be getting the brunt of the criticism," Potter said. "That’s the pattern. And whether it’s fair or not, it doesn’t matter.
"As professionals, we have to accept that and work as hard as we can to change opinion. That's what it is, that's the challenge for us. I'm not going to argue against it. Marc is a big boy, he is an adult, has kids, he knows the situation. We have to help him change perspective on this.
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"There is always frustration and we have to accept the frustration with me, frustration at players, it's part of what we have to accept in this position.
"There is no magic formula. It’s not easy to play with that type of pressure. All he can do is keep doing well in training, keep working hard, wait for the right opportunity. We are not losing because of one individual, one person. We are a team and we need to stick together."
It was reported on Wednesday that Cucurella was burgled at his home shortly after making the switch to Chelsea in the summer. According to The Sun, his house was burgled in a 'terrifying raid' and the aftereffects are said to have had a telling impact on his performances.
Chelsea fans are yet to see the best of him amid the team's run of faltering form, with just two assists to boast in 26 appearances for the club. Supporters also cheered Cucurella being substituted at the weekend, prompting Potter to defend his struggling new recruit.
