Talking Tactics: How under-fire Potter can banish the Blues

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter is feeling the heat and needs to turn the Blues' fortunes around sooner rather than later. 

After starting his spell in the Stamford Bridge dugout with a nine-game unbeaten run across all competitions, the West Londoners have mustered just two wins in their last 11, losing a total of eight times in that run.

As a result, Chelsea entered the weekend sitting 10th in the Premier League table — 10 points off the top four and looking likely to miss out on Champions League football next term. 

As Potter's outfit prepare to host Crystal Palace this afternoon, we take a look at how the former Brighton boss can get his side out of their slump.

Winter of discontent

Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Fulham in their last outing, extending their winless run in 2023 to four games. 

Speaking after that result, Potter revealed how disappointed he and his team are about their poor run.

The 47-year-old coach said: "We are suffering at the moment. We're suffering, the fans are suffering. We feel for them. It's important to stick together and try to get through this tough period. 

"It's really frustrating, incredibly challenging. I feel for the supporters. 

"We're disappointed to lose tonight. I felt it was a relatively even game in the first half, we had a couple of chances. But I think the basics we can do a little bit better, in terms of our defending and football actions."

Three or four?

After initially chopping and changing between a back three and back four at the start of his tenure, Potter appeared to settle on the former as his preferred system. 

However, as the team entered a difficult patch, he switched to a back four for the five games preceding the defeat to Fulham, when he reverted once again. 

In his 20 matches as Blues manager, Potter has fielded a back three 11 times and a back four on nine occasions. 

Despite all his tinkering, Chelsea's form has not improved and perhaps the team have suffered from a lack of consistency when it comes to their formation.

And as Potter said after the defeat at Craven Cottage, they need to start doing the basics better. 

Centre forward conundrum

A major issue that has plagued Chelsea this season is their profligacy in attack. 

A paltry return of just 21 goals from 18 games was bettered by 11 other Premier League teams prior to this weekend, suggesting the side from SW6 are sorely lacking a prolific frontman. 

Kai Havertz is the team's joint-top scorer in the league this term despite netting only four times in 17 appearances — hardly a return befitting a Chelsea centre forward. 

Injury has limited Armando Broja's minutes after a promising loan spell at Southampton last season, while veteran forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has not been trusted to displace the misfiring German.

But with the transfer window in full swing and David Datro Fofana already added to the ranks, it appears the big-spending Blues are looking to address the problem.

Felix sees red

Joao Felix's arrival on loan from Atletico Madrid was an answer to Potter's clear need for attacking reinforcements. 

The Portuguese starlet made his debut against Fulham and looked promising, taking six shots and hitting the target with four, as well as creating one big chance — all before the hour mark. 

However, an overzealous high challenge saw the 23-year-old ace deservedly dismissed and Potter revealed his frustration at losing the new arrival to suspension. 

He said: "It was a forward's tackle, there was no malice in it but I understand why it was a red. It is another blow, the hits keep coming at the moment. 

"He was really good, you could see his quality in the game, so it is doubly disappointing for us."

The kids are alright

Among the few positives to be taken from this season so far is the promise shown by Chelsea's young players. 

Lewis Hall, in particular, appears to be earning Potter's trust of late, while there are high hopes for summer signing Carney Chukwuemeka, who is earning minutes as an impact substitute. 

Additionally, the capture of highly-rated Brazilian youngster Andrey Santos underlines the club's increasing commitment to building for the years ahead.

The present may seem bleak but Potter will hope he can lead the Blues to a brighter future by calling on his budding stars from the academy and the promising players Tood Boehly and Co seem so intent on continuing to add to the squad.