Former Chelsea Star Passionately Defends Graham Potter Amid Poor Run of Form

• Former Chelsea attacker Joe Cole believes the Blues’ problems run deeper than the manager
• Chelsea succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Fulham in their Premier League tie on Thursday
• Cole believes Graham Potter needs more time as his team languishes in 10th place on the log

Joe Cole believes Chelsea manager, Graham Potter needs more time to turn the club’s fortunes around after the latest defeat at the hands of Fulham.

The Cottagers claimed a crucial 2-1 victory over the Blues for their first victory in the West London derby since 2006.

Chelsea had to end the game with 10 men as their debutant, Joao Felix - on loan from Atletico Madrid - was sent off in the 58th minute for a rash challenge.

A seventh defeat in 10 games leaves Chelsea in 10th place on the log, 19 points behind league leaders Arsenal, with only half the season to go.

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Amid frustration creeping in at Stamford Bridge, a former star believes the problem may not be the manager at all.

41-year-old Chelsea legend Cole, who was on punditry duty for BT Sport, said as quoted by Independent:

"[Potter] needs time. We saw a little bit of frustration creeping in here with the fans, but they've just got to understand there's been so much change. The club has been so stable in its own unique way over the last 20-odd years and been successful."

Cole believes Potter has acquitted himself well, and said the team would easily be in the top five or six if not for a string of injuries.

The former Chelsea star also believes Joao Felix will be a good addition, despite the red card.

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"Potter must be thinking when is his luck going to change. That moment [the red card] changed the game. Felix was brilliant - I saw enough in his 59 minutes to know he’s going to be a good signing for Chelsea."

Felix is set to miss a month’s worth of Premier League action as a result of being showed a straight red.

Joao Felix trains with Chelsea

Sports Brief also reported on interesting training ground footage of Felix and his new Chelsea teammates.

The 23-year-old appeared sharp in the video online, but it was clear he is yet to have his teammates on the same page.

Some fans feel Felix is yet to grasp the Blues' style of play, after he failed in several attempts to practice a one-two tactic.