“Graham Potter must be thinking when his luck will turn.”
Former Chelsea striker Joe Cole has said what many club fans and even Potter himself will think.
Dreadful form, disgruntled fans, a growing injury list and now their new star signing is suspended for three games after being sent off on his debut.
Chelsea, European champions a year and a half ago, are 10th in the Premier League after losing 2-1 to west London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage – and once again the Blues were the architects of their own downfall.
Portuguese winger Joao Felix had looked like Chelsea’s best player and was at the heart of his best attacking moments before rushing in and catching Fulham defender Kenny Tete on the shin and being shown a direct red card.
“The Hits Keep Coming”
“Joao had a fantastic impact and now losing him for three games is really disappointing,” Potter said.
“He didn’t want to hurt anyone and that’s football action that can happen.
“That’s where we are in terms of things that can happen to us. It’s another blow, the blows keep coming right now. We’re hurting.
“It was a forward tackle, there was no malice but I understand why it was a red. He was really good, you could see his quality in the game so it’s doubly disappointing for us.”
Chelsea had been the better team but fell behind when teenage full-back Lewis Hall and centre-back Trevoh Chalobah failed to clear the ball and former Chelsea player Willian scored with a deflected shot.
But Potter’s side equalized within two minutes of the second half as Kalidou Koulibaly reacted quickest after Mason Mount’s free-kick hit the post, and Chelsea looked over the top.
But the advantage didn’t last long as Joao Felix, who only joined Chelsea on loan from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, was sent off before the hour mark, with Carlos Vinicius becoming a 72nd-minute winner for the hosts.
“Moments Go Against Potter”
“That red card moment was a game-changer,” Cole added. “Joao Felix was brilliant – I’ve seen enough in 59 minutes to know he’ll be a good signing for Chelsea.
“It’s difficult when you’re 10 in the Premier League because you’re overloaded in different areas of the pitch.
“Moments are going against Graham Potter and something has to change. They need a win or a lucky goal to bring confidence back to the team.”
Potter said he was pleased with his team’s performance, but it was another missed opportunity for a well-deserved victory.
He said: “I think we controlled the game early, got the ball high, created chances, maybe missed the last pass. We made a few mistakes for their goal.
“In the second half I think we responded well and then the red card changes the game. It makes us a bit more difficult, I thought the application when we got down to 10 was really good.
“I’m disappointed with the goal because I think we could do better and that’s what cost us.
“We have to keep working. There is no other way – you have to keep working, stick together and try to get the three points.”
Zakaria adds to Chelsea injury worries
Another concern for Potter is Chelsea’s injury problems, with midfielder Denis Zakaria, on loan from Juventus, limping off at the start of the second half, with Chelsea unaware of how serious the injury is.
But it’s potentially another player to join an injured list that includes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (hand), defenders Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Reece James (leg) and Wesley Fofana (knee), midfielders N’Golo Kante (hamstrings) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (calf) and forwards Raheem Sterling (muscle injury), Christian Pulisic (knee) and Armando Broja (cruciate ligament).
