Chelsea boss Potter backs under-fire Gerrard

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has given his backing to Steven Gerrard following a poor start to the season for Aston Villa.

Villa have won just two of their opening nine Premier League matches, sitting just three points above the relegation zone with only Wolves having scoring fewer than their goal tally of seven.

That has resulted in boss Gerrard coming under pressure, with speculation that Villa could move on from the former Liverpool captain if results do not improve.

Potter has made it clear that the situation can change swiftly, adding that there is “always somebody under pressure” in England’s top flight.

“The margins are very small in the Premier League – I’m sure Steven will want to improve their results,” he said ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Villa on Sunday.

“If they had beaten Forest they would have gone above Liverpool so that shows you how quick things change.

“There’s always somebody under pressure in the Premier League and at the moment it’s Steven.”

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Chelsea’s axing of Thomas Tuchel and appointment of Potter has resulted in a quick upturn in form, with the Blues unbeaten in his five games in charge and enjoying a four-match winning streak.

That has come despite a “surreal” start to Potter’s stint at Stamford Bridge and the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss is adamant there is still work to do.

He added: “From the outside results are good, there are always things you can improve, but I can’t sit here and complain about anything, with the results we’ve had.

“It was a really surreal start with the Queen’s death, games being called off, not really knowing the players but I’ve got to credit the players – they have been really open and it has gone well.

“We haven’t played that many games in the league, there are so many games to go.”