(Fulham – Chelsea 2-1) Chelsea’s new owner has invested just over $4.6 billion in transfer fees since the takeover last summer. On Thursday, star signing Joao Felix (23) was sent off on his debut.
Supporters are now calling for manager Graham Potter to resign. In the London derby at Craven Cottage, Fulham inflicted the team’s fifth defeat in the last seven Premier League matches on the blue-clad Chelsea crew.
Mistakes lead to their goal. I think we responded well in the second half. Naturally, being sent off changes the game and makes it more difficult for us. I am disappointed in their purpose. We can do better. I’m so disappointed at the loss,” Potter says in an interview featured on Viaplay.
After starting well, Potter’s men nearly fell apart after Willian (34) made it 1-0. Controlling the ball inside the 16-metre box, the former Chelsea player challenged Cesar Azpilicueta (33) and took the hosts ahead.
– It’s a pitiful defender job by Azpilicueta. He can’t have a meter and a half to two meters away when Willian goes to shoot there. Lars Tjærnås of Viaplay commented that he should get close and block.
The goal came after 25 minutes. The rest of the half worked out almost nothing for the Chelsea players, who suddenly looked devoid of self-confidence and team structure.
Just seconds after the end of the first half, Kalidou Koulibaly (31) equalized from a corner kick. Netizens turned desperation into new hope, but it disappeared again when newcomer Felix was sent off for an unsightly tackle just before the hour mark. The 23-year-old was brought in from Spain’s Atletico Madrid on a four-month loan at a cost of around NOK 120m just 30 hours before kick-off.
17 minutes before full time, Carlos Vinicius (27) took advantage of an incident that exemplifies Chelsea’s problems: three players – Thiago Silva (38), Trevoh Chalobas (23) and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (28) – committed a foul at the same upright and suddenly the striker was able to The Brazilian scored the goal 2-1 in a semi-open goal.
– It is tough. This is certain. Potter says I feel for the supporters and everyone connected with the club.
– What can you do in the future?
– We have to keep working and stick together and look forward to the next game to try and get three points there.
From a bystander’s seat, American investor Todd Bohle must have pondered how things went wrong. He spent more than five billion kronor on the purchase of Chelsea. The trade included a commitment to strengthening the list. Then the club set a transfer record in England last summer. No team has ever brought in more players for money than Chelsea in a transfer window.
Just over a month after the start of the Premier League, Bohli decided to make adjustments on the coaching side as well. The German Thomas Tuchel – and a parachute of about NOK 160 million – were launched. In Brighton, the Chelsea owner found the 47-year-old Potter, who was bought out of his contract with “The Seagulls” for NOK 180 million.
Then Potter smiled proudly when he signed a five-year contract with Boehly and Chelsea that was reportedly worth up to £700m. After three wins in their first three blue games, picking up points under pots is only six out of 27 possible in their last nine. Therefore, supporters could now be heard calling for Potter’s resignation.
Potter’s problem is the injury situation, but the question now is whether the Englishman will get more time in the Chelsea job. “You’ll be sent off tomorrow,” Fulham fans sang in familiar fashion during the game.
– I think we deserved to win. They are in a tough spot at the moment, but they have a very good team. “It was a special night for me to play against them,” Willian says in an interview with Viaplay.
I spent seven wonderful years there. “I have great respect for the fans and for the club,” says the Brazilian.
He is now playing for a team that is sixth in the Premier League. Chelsea ranks 10th with 10 points up to the top four and 10 points away from relegation.
Premier League
- Champions League
- European league
- exclusion
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