Graham Potter could be sacked if Chelsea lose to Tottenham on the weekend, according to Paul Merson.
The pressure is on the Blues manager after talks with club bosses, as reported by Standard Sport, ahead of the trip across London with the team languishing in 10th place.
Former Arsenal and England star Merson has stated his belief that Potter needs more time to get the team playing how he wants.
“People think Potter isn't the right man for the job, but I think he is,” he wrote for Sky Sports.
“For me, I think give him time. I don't see it changing too quickly. I look at the players and I don't get it. This Sunday is Chelsea's biggest game of the season - it's Tottenham.
“If he loses this one I'm not sure there is a way back because the fans will go ballistic. This game can change everything though - if Chelsea beat Spurs he can also be a hero.”
Merson also criticised Chelsea for a £500million transfer spree that failed to truly improve the quality at Potter’s disposal.
“I think he needs time,” he added. “I'm not sure these are his players, that's the major problem. I can't imagine in my wildest dreams these are his players.
“A lot of the players at Chelsea are the same, but no better than what was there before. You buy players to improve a squad and that hasn't happened. I would give him until next season to have a pre-season, I just don't know how it's going to work with these players.”
