Graham Potter blames "the worst pre-season" for Chelsea's struggles

Chelsea traveled to the United States for the pre-season in July, after playing three games they played Udinese twice in Italy ahead of the new campaign.

"It is really tough,"

he said.

"A few weeks ago, [I said] it is the toughest job of football, and there are reasons for that.

"Speaking to a few of the experienced guys, they said it was the worst pre-season they've had. Organisationally, the tour didn't work as well as they'd like. I wasn't there so I can't say.

"We thought we had made progress, but against Southampton, [it] was below par. The sky can fall. These are inconvenient facts, but that's the situation."

Chelsea suffered a 1-0 defeat to rock-bottom Southampton last week. Despite admitting to deserving to be under the microscope, Potter insists he has the full support of the club’s board.

"

With results as they are, you accept criticism,"

he said. "

That should come, that is fair. [But] the mood here has always been positive and respectful.

"That is not to say it is easy at all. My family suffers, my mental health suffers. Personally, it is hard. I've been under pressure here for four months."

Providing an injury update on Cesar Azpilicueta, who was taken to hospital after suffering a concussion last week, Potter added:

"He is as OK as you can be when you've had that. He won't be ready for the weekend, but he's doing well."

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