Graham Potter’s short-term plot

Chelsea may have spent over pound500 million 603 million on new players but their first season under new ownership will end without any trophies to show for it unless they can conquer Europe in the coming monthsThe Blues travel to face Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League Last 16 tie on Tuesday already out of both domestic cups and languishing 10th in the Premier LeagueJust 2 wins in last 12 gamesWinning the Champions League for a third time could even by Chelsearsquos best route back into the competition next season as they sit 10 points adrift of the top four in the English top flight Graham Potterrsquos men have won just two games in their last 12 since European football shut down for the winterGraham PotterldquoThe secondhalf is probably more of a reflection of where we are as a group and as a teamrdquo said Potter after Chelsearsquos bright start at the London Stadium quickly fizzled outldquoIn terms of players getting up to speed returning from injury and players adapting to the Premier LeaguerdquoPotter is aware patience is wearing thin among a fanbase that got used to a hireandfire culture under Roman Abramovich that reaped rewards In each of the two seasons Chelsea won the Champions League during the Russianrsquos 19year tenure they changed managers midseason Chelsea have already done that this season as Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel in SeptemberAlso readPressure on Christophe Galtier as PSG plays Bayern in Champions LeagueA ninegame unbeaten run to start his spell in charge now seems a long time ago for Potter with the pressure ramped up to produce results even if the bulk of Chelsearsquos unprecedented level of spending has been on young players ldquoYou canrsquot talk about the longterm because that doesnrsquot exist in this jobrdquo added PotterldquoYou have to acknowledge therersquos a longterm but therersquos a shortterm and mediumterm that is challenging for us in terms of results We have to understand that go to Dortmund with humility with respect and try to get the resultrdquo Failure to do so and Chelsearsquos American consortium of owners may turn to another manager to deliver a return on their investmentPotter has had to juggle a lengthy injury list and bed in an avalanche of January signings while also trying to maintain harmony in a bloated squad of 33 firstteam players The former Brighton boss has already had tough choices to make for the rest of his sidersquos European campaignEight new signingsWith only three new players allowed to be added to Chelsearsquos Champions League squad and eight new signings Benoit Badiashile Noni Madueke Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana have been left out while Malo Gusto will spend the second half of the season back on loan at Lyon But the three additions of Joao Felix Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez should add firepower and a creative spark to a side badly lacking in a goal threat All three have commanded a 100 million euro 107 million fee at some point in their careersThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever