Pundit claims there is ‘no way’ PL boss is answer to Chelsea problems under Potter

Joe Williams
Chelsea target Roberto de Zerbi watches his side

Gabby Agbonlahor doubts Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi would be able to sort out the current situation at Chelsea if he replaced Graham Potter.

Potter is coming under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge with the Blues currently on a run of just one win in 11 matches in all competitions.

If Aston Villa better Chelsea’s  result over the weekend then Potter’s side would drop into the bottom half of the Premier League table with 13 matches to play.

Chelsea host relegation-threatened Leeds at home on Saturday and the pressure will ramp up another notch if they were to lose.

De Zerbi, who replaced Potter at Brighton earlier this season is having a brilliant campaign with the Seagulls but Agbonlahor doubts the Italian would be the answer to the problems at Chelsea.

Former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “I can’t see Chelsea going for De Zerbi.

“Obviously if the defeats keep coming for Potter, he will have to lose his job. That’s clear.

“But they’ve got to have learned their lesson. They can’t go for someone who has done well at a smaller club.

“They’ve got to go for an elite manager with a track record of working at the highest level. There’s no way De Zerbi is the answer to this problem they’re facing. They’ve got to look elsewhere.”

N’Golo Kante has been missing because of a serious hamstring injury for most of the season and Agbonlahor has suggested that the Chelsea midfielder may only get the benefits of a potential new three-year contract if he keeps fit.

Agbonlahor added: “I feel that this contract might have some clauses in it. He’ll have to play a certain amount of games.

“Chelsea can’t just give him a straight-up three-year contract after the injury problems he’s had. It would be a terrible decision.

“I’m sure he’ll have to start maybe 50% or 75% of the games in order to get the full wage, or any of the bonuses tied to it.

“He’s got such a bad injury record, he could easily get injured again at the start of next season and they’d be back to square one.”

Ahead of the match against Leeds, Agbonlahor made a prediction: “Oh wow, Chelsea and Leeds. With the way Chelsea are playing it wouldn’t surprise me if Leeds go and beat them it really wouldn’t.

“This game feels like one where it could be the end for Potter. I have to go with a Leeds win.

“I just do, the energy, we saw Southampton go to Stamford Bridge and win, so there’s no reason why Leeds can’t go and put in a performances against some Chelsea players who are downing tools when I watch them. I’m going to go with 2-1 to Leeds.”

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