Ikpeba tells Potter what he must do to avoid the sack at Chelsea, bemoans Kante's long injury layoff 

Former Super Eagles striker Victor Ikpeba has opined that Chelsea manager Graham Potter should remain in charge of the team should he lead the Blues to UEFA Champions League glory,

The 1997 African Footballer of The Year award winner bared his thoughts on SuperSport's Monday Night Football on the recent topsy-turvy season experienced by Potter's team.

Speaking on the subject of Chelsea owner Todd Boehly possibly sacking Potter, Ikpeba believes that despite the struggles in the Premier League, a triumph in Europe should be enough to have the Englishman continue in the saddle.

"He (Potter) will remain as manager of Chelsea if they win the Champions League," Ikpeba began.

"The damage had been done when Thomas Tuchel was sacked at the beginning of the season.

"When you look at the squad they had then, it was a very good squad. For you to dismantle the squad so quickly with the manager (Tuchel) going - when the new one came in, he should have kept faith with most of the players.

"With the transfers, bringing in a manager and players, have not helped the club. That's why you need time with these new players ," the onetime AS Monaco, Borussia Dortmund and Real Betis forward noted.

Ikpeba further said that the absence of influential midfielder, N'Golo Kante through injury has been key reason why Chelsea's form dipped in the season.

"Chelsea have missed the services of N'Golo Kante who wins a lot of the balls in the middle of the park. Kante can go offensively and he creates chances for his teammates.

"They lost that energy that Kante brings. I had a lot of sympathy for Potter but the truth of the matter is that a, lot of damage was done in the beginning of the season.

"I'm not sure if Potter would remain as their manager but if Chelsea wins the Champions League, Potter should stay," Ikpeba concluded.

Chelsea have been drawn against Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League after last Friday's draw on Nyon, Switzerland.

Izuchukwu Michael

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com

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