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Sports/Games » What Enzo Fernandez did after Chelsea's defeat. by: RobertGrant(m) .:. Tue, 28 Feb, 2023 - 01:32:26:am GMT

Enzo Fernández cut a frustrated figure after Chelsea's disappointing defeat to Tottenham Hotspur
Enzo Fernández cut a frustrated figure after Chelsea's disappointing defeat to Tottenham Hotspur
Guys, this is Tottenham

It was billed as a game that Chelsea – or perhaps more accurately Graham Potter – could not afford to lose. The omens were also in their favor. The Blues are unbeaten at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They haven't even conceded a goal in Premier League games at Spurs' new home.

However, that all changed over the next 90 minutes. Yes, Chelsea started well enough but never really threatened Tottenham's defence. Enzo Fernandez played neat passes. Joao Felix made jump runs. Raheem Sterling tried to find a way through. The effort was there. The real quality was not.

It was different in the second half. Tottenham took the intensity level up a notch and Chelsea had no response. Oliver Skipp's strike within a minute of the restart was good - a powerful drive from the edge of the box that beat Kepa Arrizabalaga - but it was a goal born of poor decision-making in the Blues penalty area and a poor effort. get the ball from Felix.

That was a game, unfortunately. Those who have watched Chelsea in recent months knew this, even if they didn't want to admit it. Their side does not come from behind. Not to win anyway. The last time it happened was against Dinamo Zagreb in a Champions League match in November.

Harry Kane added Tottenham's second with eight minutes remaining this was the cue for many at the end away to begin their journey home. There were sporadic calls from a few supporters for Potter to leave, but somewhat surprisingly that was the extent of the anger following the defeat.

Maybe it should be about ownership. At least to some extent. Apathy is probably the worst emotion fans can display indicative of a disconnect with what is happening on and off the pitch.

I can't necessarily think too many 40,000 or 50,000 people I need to focus on what I can control, which is the next day and the next training session,” Potter said when asked if he felt it would be difficult to win back the fans after the defeat to Chelsea's fiercest rivals.

"Our fans have been very fair and they have continued to support the team. So I have no complaints with the fans. They have the right to be frustrated, angry and upset with the results we have achieved and that is my responsibility. So I have no complaints with the supporters."

Potter briefly acknowledged the traveling supporters before disappearing down the tunnel after the full-time whistle. Chelsea players went the extra mile with both Wesley Fofana and Enzo Fernandez handing out their shirts to the crowd. Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount seemed apologetic for the defeat - certainly understanding the pain the loss to Tottenham caused.

Problem nine

Chelsea lack a striker. It's not a new problem—it predates Potter, in fact—but it's no closer to being solved. Kai Havertz came on against Tottenham and despite his usual willingness to close down passing angles, the German failed to register a single shot.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, meanwhile, had just one touch of the ball after his 82nd-minute introduction, although by then Chelsea were two goals down and the game effectively over. David Datro Fofana was not even in the matchday squad despite starting against Southampton.

"Sometimes you go through periods where you create chances and don't score them, which we had against Dortmund and Southampton," Potter said when asked about Chelsea's inability to score, which has seen the Blues find the net once in previous games. six games in all competitions.

"Today I don't think it was a game. In a tight game there were minimal chances for both teams. The first goal was always important and we didn't get it. There was an element of players coming back." from injury, get them up to speed and integrate a few new ones.

So as a team we're not quite where we want it to look and work in a good way - and scoring goals is a difficult part of the game.

James takes Potter's stance

Chelsea have won just two of their previous 15 Premier League games. They are ten points short of the relegation zone. And after 24 games, the Blues have a negative goal difference. Not surprisingly, Potter comes under considerable pressure as a result.

The 47-year-old has retained ownership support despite recent results. The players haven't turned on Potter either, who is liked by most of the group, although there are a few doubts about his reaction to recent defeats.

Potter's ability to retain his team's support was underlined again by Reece James, who took the captain's armband after Thiago Silva was forced off through injury in the first half.

Speaking to beIN Sports, the academy graduate said: We're not going to wake up tomorrow and be out of the situation we're in. It will take weeks and months to get to where we need to be. we are all on the same page and stick together. That's a big positive.

"Everyone has seen how good a manager he is, which showed when he was at Brighton and they were around the top four. His ability is certainly not in doubt. He's in a similar position to us players, we're the ones out there." So whatever he has, the players are the ones who play too. We're in this together.”

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