Graham Potter left to count the cost as Chelsea injury crisis worsens in loss to Manchester City
- Planet Sport writer
- 6 January 2023
Chelsea manager Graham Potter was left sifting through another catalogue of injuries after the disappointing Premier League loss to Manchester City on Thursday night.
Already without six players, including Reece James and Mason Mount, their evening got off to a bad start when Raheem Sterling was caught by his old City team-mate John Stones in the opening moments and limped off.
Moments later Christian Pulisic also had to go off after his was on the end of a Stones block.
"It doesn't make it any easier," admitted Potter, whose side have won just once in their last eight matches.
"Raheem's was the first action of the game, a backheel, a strange one, and Christian was at full pelt and hurt his knee.
"Mason got a kick yesterday. I've never experienced anything like it but it is what it is, we have to carry on.
"I thought there was a lot right today, the performance level was good against a top side. There was a lot to like.
"Is our form good enough? Points wise, no. It's hard for me to argue against that.
"But the margins and the situation, for me it's about how we play and analysing how we can improve. We took a step forward today."
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who came on for Sterling, did not look best pleased at being substituted himself with more than 20 minutes left.
"He came on after one minute," added Potter. "He hasn't played for us in a while and he put in a shift for us.
"It's a decision you have to make. He gave everything for the team but he was fatiguing, and that was the decision."
