Chelsea at risk of Champions League exit as Graham Potter sent firm warning to keep European hopes alive

Graham Potter has been backed to be able to get Chelsea firing but has been warned he will need to rejuvenate the squad to avoid getting knocked out of the Champions League group stages.

Chelsea drew their first game under Potter earlier this month when they were held 1-1 against RB Salzburg in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge, which also meant they remained winless in Group E.

A defeat and draw leaves Chelsea in a precarious position and needing results in the double header against AC Milan next month to give themselves a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Potter has been offered assurances by the new owners after penning a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge, but that can’t excuse any dip in results for Chelsea as they eye challenges both domestically and in Europe. 

The 47-year-old will manage his first Premier League game this weekend in charge of the Blues when they head to Selhurst Park for a London derby against Crystal Palace. 

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They will then turn their attention to AC Milan’s visit to the capital and former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson insists they have a chance of progressing, but warns they will need to start firing in front of goal if they want to win games. 

“There's a chance that they'll drop out but they're all tough games at that level, so if you're not firing and you're not playing to your usual standards, of course you're going to get found out,” Johnson told SafeBettingSites on Chelsea’s Champions League chances.  

“But they're going into it now with the new manager, they have new philosophies, certain players are going to come back from the dark, as long as the manager can get them going early on, then they're still expected to get out of the group. But you can't keep saying it, they're just gonna have to go and win games.”

Johnson added: “Any manager wants to start well, he's got a fantastic squad there and if he can get them firing then they could turn into a real good side.

"Everyone wants to win, just for momentum it's important to get a first one under the belt, especially when you're at a top team now.”

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Potter knows it is his job to get results and improve the confidence of his players, and revealed after the draw against RB Salzburg that he believes his side still can finish in the top two.

"We can't lie, it's not the position we want to be in, but we have to respond,” the Chelsea boss admitted.

“It's as simple as that.

"It's going to be a tough group, I think, but there is enough quality in the team and squad that we can respond, and we have to look forward to those two games."