Graham Potter needs time at Chelsea but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks finished there, says Paul Merson | Football News

Paul Merson has urged Chelsea to give Graham Potter more time, but felt the replacement of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after his early introduction against Manchester City showed the striker’s days at the club are numbered.

Potter’s position came under serious scrutiny after fans expressed their frustration following Sunday’s 4-0 FA Cup thrashing of Manchester City, just three days after suffering their fourth Premier League defeat in six games against the same opponents.

In the latest column for Sky SportsMerson explained why Potter, who replaced Thomas Tuchel in September, needed more time to turn around the club’s fortunes – but said sub-subbing Aubameyang at Stamford Bridge last week marked the point of no return for the former Arsenal striker.

‘He didn’t become a bad manager overnight’

I’m Potter, I’m unlucky, if I’m being honest.

The way they play, with three at the back, the most important thing is to have two good wings, but Reece James and Ben Chilwell are injured and are also caught without a centre-forward.

I hope he gets his time because I can’t believe he has become such a bad manager overnight.

It’s difficult because he’s had a lot of injuries, but the problem when you’re in trouble is that every game is followed by a difficult game.

You cried because Forest was home – no respect for Forest – but he didn’t come. However, you got Man City twice.

I think he has been unlucky with both injuries and the schedule. To hit Man City twice when you’re under pressure and you don’t get a full team, you’re always going to fight back.

They put young kids in and some of them have done well, but it’s a tough situation.

There is a lot of work to be done in the squad, especially in attack.

They have spent a lot of money on defenders, but you will only win if you can score goals.

I rack my brains for whoever is out there. There is only one striker there and that is Harry Kane, but I don’t think he wants to go to Chelsea and I don’t think Tottenham will sell him to Chelsea.

But you go around the world and there is no clear center forward for them anywhere. It’s a big problem for them.

I’m worried for Potter that the fans are chanting Thomas Tuchel’s name because, at the end of the day, it’s the fans who throw you out.

The last manager I can think of who was sacked when the fans chanted his name behind the goal was Alan Pardew last year when he was at Southampton.

They had just beaten Bristol Rovers 4-0 but he was sacked the next day. That never happens now. The fans have more influence and there is no doubt many Chelsea fans are against Potter.

‘I think Aubameyang is done’

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was taken off after coming on as a substitute in the first game against Man City and I think he will be moved on now. I think I will cut ties with him.

As soon as you sub-sub in the 30-something players, I’m probably the last.

Maybe you can get away with younger players, but in football that’s one of the unwritten rules. It’s a no-do.

But Potter did it with him at 33 and, for me, I was done.

This is an example of why recruitment is such a big deal for Chelsea.

They have brought in a number of players and it looks like they will be moving in the transfer window. They should. The top four seems a long way off now but it’s still a long way off.

But if you do the January business and, all of a sudden, Potter goes for a week or two, then another manager will come and say, ‘Well, I don’t like him, I don’t want him.’

That’s what happened with Aubameyang. Potter didn’t want him, but if he was fired now and someone else came in, he would say, ‘Well, I don’t want a middle or a half-middle.’

Then it’s like you’re going around in circles again.

That’s why Potter should be given more time in my opinion.