Potter would be sacked under Abramovich reign, says Paul Merson

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson expressed his firm believe that Chelsea’s current coach Graham Potter would have been sacked a long time ago, if former owner Roman Abramovich were still at the wheel of the club.

Throughout his tenure at Stamford Bridge, the Russian oligarch established himself as a relentless owner, having sacked big names such as Jose Mourinho (twice), Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte.

Under the current ownership of an American Todd Boehly the tide seems to have turned with the demands on the managers much meeker and not so strenious. This is what, in Merson’s eyes, is helping Potter preserve his job.

The English coach joined Chelsea in September 2022 and has enjoyed a torrid time with the club winning only twice in the last 12 games. Their last game was a much needed 1-0 win over Leeds United, which seems to have brough a relief in the Chelsea camp. The Blues currently sit 10th in the league, a distant 11 points off from top 4.

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“If Roman Abramovich was still there, it doesn’t take Einstein to work out, Graham Potter would have been a distant memory,” Merson told Sky Sports

“There are too many players at Chelsea. I don’t care who the manager is, there are too many players. Potter hasn’t become a bad manager overnight. He’d fallen behind the eight ball straight away and that is part of the problem.”

Chelsea host Borussia Dortmund at Stamford bridge for the Champions league knockout game on Tuesday night in a bid to salvage their miserable season. Dortmund carry a 1-0 lead after the 1st leg in Germany.