Chelsea have afforded Graham Potter uncanny support to succeed - time is right to swiftly repay kindness or seek exit

Has it ever occured in the history of Chelsea to let a manager continue despite persistent poor results week in and out, which has left the most successful London club (in Europe), languishing in tenth place on the Premier League log.

It is only February and that speaks how long we are into the league season, and how short we are into domestic competition like the FA Cup, where they've already been eliminated following defeat to Manchester City in the third round.

It was the same in the EFL Cup as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side at the Ethiad in the round three. Albeit City are a very good side but former Chelsea managers have found a way to better them, mostly in the Cup matches. It hasn't been the same with Potter.

They will also kickoff the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 in London next month against Dortmund, with a goal deficit and to cap the misfortunes under the current manager, they've only scored three goals since the turn of the year.

Considering they've already played ten games across all competitions, that alone is poor output for a single striker, let alone a squad that costs well over £800 million yo to assemble.

Maybe in the past, before the reign of Roman Abramovic at the club, Chelsea had experienced their owner being more considerate on an underperforming manager, because in the era of their named owner, even their legend was a victim of their impatient.

Only nine wins in his first 26 games at the club. A 34 per cent win rate makes the English manager hit the lowest win rate of any coach Chelsea has hired since Scottish manager, Ian Porterfield (also 34 per cent) between 1991 to 1993.

In their latest training on Saturday, Todd Boehly was around to lift spirits of players amongst other things as they prepare for their next game, which is a trip to Tottenham Hotspur for the London derby in the Premier League.

Just one win in their last ten games across all competitions and winless away from home in the league since a 2-0 win at the Villa Park in mid October, it is disheartening enough that the team is not able to score goals despite the wealth of attacking talents at the Manager's disposal.

Questions are continuously being asked of the former Brighton manager’s ability to lead the team going forward and so far, he has neither been able to prove himself worthy nor prove his critics wrong. At least that's what the results keep saying.

Chelsea are winless in their last five games, losing the last two. And the board remains bold in their decision to keep the 47 year old, whom they appointed on a five year contract less than six months ago. To think they had to pay his release clause at and to Brighton, that hasn't proven a good decision so far.

However, despite the pressure and the criticisms, Potter is a really lucky guy under the new Chelsea management, for he would be long gone had he come during the reigns of Roman Abramovic. And that is why Chelsea will forever consider the Russian the best to ever own the club.

It was during his time that Chelsea enjoyed the most successful part in their history and it was all down to his ruthlessness and love for spending, the former which seems not one of the virtues of the new owner but the latter, you can't fault them.

But even as patient as the new management is, everything and everyone has their limits and if there is no changes in that coming weeks, then it might trigger the hierarchy to consider a change in manager.

The process undertaken with Potter is on a long-term hence the club has trusted his judgement, signed quality players, never seized in their believe in him despite the awkward situation, what more could be done to satisfy a manager that Chelsea have failed to do with Potter ?

He knows it. Speaking in a presser before the weekend game, Potter said,

“I've spoken to them. It’s the same as always. There’s always been support. I've been under pressure for four months. Their support continues.”

“They've been great. They see where we're at, but are frustrated because we have to do better.”

Of course they'll become frustrated with the poor results. It is now up to Potter to make things right or vacate the space.

His relationship with the fast is not it and the atmosphere is becoming unbearable. Potter also revealed he is getting messages from angry Chelsea fans, wishing death to him and his kids.

This is unacceptable but when you manage a club of a statue as Chelsea, you also have to endure the negatives that comes with it when results are not going fine.

Chelsea play Tottenham Hotspur this weekend looking for their first win since a 1-0 success over Crystal Palace in mid January. Chelsea have won each of their last three visits to Tottenham and is either Graham Potter makes it four, or have another week of heartache.

We'll wish him luck because of his mental health and family safety, but luck is not enough in this game. Even he knows.

Hence, if he can't turn things around at the club, then he should for his own peace, turn round and leave the club.

Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi