Graham Potter admits Chelsea are in ‘dark position’ after defeat to Fulham as Blues labelled ‘nice to play against’

Graham Potter lamented the absence of a number of players but admitted his Chelsea side are in a ‘dark position’ after defeat to Fulham.

Chelsea suffered a 2-1 loss at Craven Cottage in a match that saw former Blue Willian score for the home side and Joao Felix get red carded on his Chelsea debut.

The result leaves Chelsea in tenth having won just one of their last nine Premier League outings.

“It’s a tough period for us, absolutely,” Potter told talkSPORT. “I feel for the supporters and I feel for everybody connected with the club.”

“Everyone’s frustrated and everyone’s disappointed, including us,” Potter added. “We’d love to be in a better situation, we’re not and we have to deal with it as best as we can and come through.

“It would help to get some players back of course. You can see the impact that Joao has on the team.

“So there are positives going forward but at the moment it’s a dark position.”

Having already been knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and also being ten points off fourth place, the season is looking particularly bleak for Chelsea.

And talkSPORT’s Perry Groves believes Potter’s men have become ‘nice to play against.’

“This is a group of players who have talent, they are top quality players. Are you telling me the team he put out tonight isn’t good enough talent-wise to beat Fulham?” Groves said on The Sports Bar.

“I don’t think it’s a surprise that Fulham won and I don’t think fans are either, that’s where Chelsea are.

“They weren’t awful in the first half but they were just nice to play against.

“There was no vibrancy, energy, urgency – the player who stood out was Joao Felix and he’s not known for his tenacity.

“There are not enough leaders in this Chelsea side at all, there are not enough players who want to take responsibility.

“All of the elite managers have a bit of edge and nastiness about them, they’re dictators. Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta has got that edge on the touchline, Pep Guardiola’s got that edge, Erik ten Hag at Manchester United has that edge.”

“Chelsea are enjoyable to play against.”