Chelsea fear hand could be forced on Graham Potter as crunch games arrive

Chelsea’s board fear it will be difficult to continue backing Graham Potter if the team lose to Leeds and Borussia Dortmund in the next two games.

Potter has not lost the support of the owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, and there is a desire, particularly on Boehly’s part, for the 47-year-old to turn the situation around.

But the former Brighton manager is under major presser after a dreadful run and is aware he requires improvement in results and performances in Saturday’s Premier League home game against Leeds and Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg at Stamford Bridge against Dortmund, who are 1-0 up.

Chelsea are 10th in the league after two wins in 15 games and closer in points to the bottom three than the top four. The owners have placed a lot of faith in Potter since hiring him as Thomas Tuchel’s replacement in September and admire his calm demeanour and coaching ability.

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However Chelsea spent heavily in the past two transfer windows and have seen little reward. Their season would be all but over if they lost to Dortmund and the situation is complicated by a majority of fans having turned against Potter, who could face a hostile reaction from the crowd if his team are beaten by Leeds.