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Graham Potter defends Kai Havertz over goal drought.
Graham Potter has refrained from placing the responsibility for Kai Havertz’s inability to score this season.
The German, who has only scored six goals in 32 appearances across all competitions and is presently on a seven-game goal drought, has played more minutes this season than any other Chelsea attacker.
Havertz had an opportunity to ease the pressure from Chelsea supporters when he converted a one-on-one with Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier at the weekend, but he chose not to.
Potter was anxious to maintain the attention on Chelsea’s whole front line despite the 23-year-personal old’s troubles, since the Blues as a whole managed just two goals during Havertz’s goal drought, one of which came from defender Wesley Fofana.
“I think we have to attack better as a team and that’s my responsibility,” said Potter. “It’s too easy to zoom into individuals and blame them.
“It’s a collective, we have to create more, do better and that starts with me, helping the team get better chances more chances because then I don’t doubt the quality of the players.”
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Chelsea has benefited significantly from Raheem Sterling’s return from injury, and Potter acknowledged that he was happy to rely on the former Manchester City player as the Blues get ready to try to orchestrate a comeback against Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 matchup on Tuesday.
“His goal scoring record in the Champions League speaks for itself,” Potter said of Sterling. “He’s an experienced, proven campaigner in that competition.
“So we’re delighted with that and we’re looking forward to him on the pitch on Tuesday, and hopefully enjoying his football and, and contributing to us winning and going through.
“You can see his quality that he brings and if he’s enjoying his football he’s a really important player for us and the last two home games, you could see that.
“He’s still building up because the hamstring problem he had, he’s getting stronger and stronger with every minute so that was the thinking behind bringing him off to make sure he’s ready for Tuesday.”