Graham Potter points out Chelsea player who has been made a scapegoat for problems this season
According to Graham Potter, the responsibility for Chelsea’s unsatisfactory season is being unjustly placed on Marc Cucurella.
Marc Cucurella was transferred to Chelsea from Brighton for an amount close to £60 million during the summer transfer window, but he has been unable to perform as well as he did in the previous season while playing at Stamford Bridge.
Despite Ben Chilwell’s injury, Graham Potter has continued to give Cucurella opportunities to play.
However, Chelsea fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with his ongoing difficulties. During last Saturday’s game against West Ham United, Cucurella was substituted and the travelling Chelsea supporters reacted with cheers.
Mykhailo Mudryk, who was signed by Chelsea in January, also appeared to have liked a meme on Instagram that made fun of Cucurella after his recent performance. However, Graham Potter stated that there is no malicious intent between the two teammates.
During Wednesday’s Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, Cucurella was also subjected to booing from the crowd.
The Chelsea manager believes that Cucurella is being unfairly targeted as a scapegoat for the club’s broader issues.
“The results that we are having, where we are in the table, unfortunately somebody will be getting the brunt of the criticism,” Potter told a press conference ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Southampton. “That’s the pattern. And whether it’s fair or not, it doesn’t matter.
“As professionals we have to accept that and work as hard as we can to change opinion. That’s what it is, that’s the challenge for us. I’m not going to argue against it. Marc is a big boy, he is an adult, has kids, he knows the situation. We have to help him change perspective on this.
“There is always frustration and we have to accept the frustration with me, frustration at players, it’s part of what we have to accept in this position.
“There is no magic formula. It’s not easy to play with that type of pressure. All he can do is keep doing well in training, keep working hard, wait for the right opportunity.
“We are not losing because of one individual, one person. We are a team and we need to stick together.”
During the summer transfer window, Manchester City showed a keen interest in signing Cucurella, but eventually dropped their pursuit due to Brighton’s demands.
“In the summer Chelsea weren’t the only team that wanted to buy him and the other team (Manchester City) that wanted to buy him are quite good!’ Potter continued.
“Yes he has (the mentality to cope with the situation). The team that was interested in him, they wouldn’t be if he didn’t have the character he has.”
Graham Potter points out Chelsea player who has been made a scapegoat for problems this season
