Pep Guardiola urges Chelsea to give Graham Potter time

Pep Guardiola says he has urged Chelsea to stick with beleaguered boss Graham Potter despite their FA Cup humiliation at the hands of Manchester City.

Man City demolished Chelsea 4-0 at the Etihad to leave Chelsea out of both domestic cup competitions and sitting in midtable in the Premier League.

Potter himself has admitted that Chelsea are ‘suffering’ at the moment amid growing speculation over his own future.

However, he has an ally in Guardiola, who says he has gone into bat with Chelsea’s owners on his behalf.

“I would say to Todd Boehly, that it was a pleasure to meet him, so give him time,” Guardiola said after the game. “I know in the big clubs, results or important but I would say give him time.

“So, I think, the second-half is what he is. What he has done in Brighton was outstanding. All managers need time, he is right.

“We need time every season. In Barcelona there was a reason because I had Messi there, I didn’t need two seasons one was enough.

“To play against City when we are at this level in Carabao Cup or here is not easy for Graham, for Chelsea or for any team.”

Potter has now taken charge of Chelsea 18 times, with the Blues only managing to win eight of them.