Chelsea: Redknapp, Hasselbaink disagree over Boehly sacking Potter

Former Premier League stars Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Jamie Redknapp have expressed their displeasure with Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly’s decision to fire manager Graham Potter.

Potter, 47, has seen strong sack claims fade in recent days after Chelsea won their third consecutive Premier League match, beating Leicester City 3-1 over the weekend.

Potter was on the verge of losing his job at Chelsea after only one win in 2023.

However, victories over Leeds United, Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, and Leicester have significantly reduced the pressure.

Many saw Chelsea’s game against Leeds United as crucial, and when discussing Potter’s job security, Hasselbaink and Redknapp got into a heated debate about the significance of the game against Javi Gracia’s side.

“I would go so far as to say that if they had lost against Leeds, he [Potter] would have lost his job,” Redknapp said on Sky Sports.

“I do. I believe that was the case, but it just goes to show how quickly things can change.”

Hasselbaink responded to Redknapp by saying, “I think the owners have a project, and he [Potter] is a big part of that project.”

Redknapp went on to say why he disagreed with his original statement: “I am not so sure. I’m not saying they don’t have a plan, but I think there comes a point where the manager is under a lot of pressure, and I think if they had lost that game [against Leeds United], that would have been it for him because the three games since have been so crucial.

When it came time for the ownership to change, Hasselbaink made a wise observation: “Maybe with the other owner [Roman Abramovich], it would have been months earlier, but I don’t think with these owners. They support Potter and want this to continue for a very long time.