Keys thought Potter would shine at Chelsea thanks to Cech and Granovskaia – who left before he came on!

Richard Keys has insisted Graham Potter would succeed at Chelsea thanks to the support of directors Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia, both of whom left the club months before his arrival at Stamford Bridge in September.

The ex-Sky Sports presenter believes Potter shouldn’t be blamed for Chelsea’s lackluster form so far this season as the Blues sit 10th in the Premier League table and are already in both the FA Cup and League Cup are eliminated.

Keys instead slammed Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly in a scathing tirade on his website, criticizing the American’s decision to “show the door” to Cech and Granovskaia.

Richard Keys believed Graham Potter would succeed because of Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia

He insisted Potter had “good people around him” before Chairman Todd Boehly eliminated the pair

But Cech and Granovskaia left the club in June – months before Potter arrived in west London

Referring to the former Chelsea directors, the 65-year-old insisted Potter had “good people around him” when he arrived at Stamford Bridge – although the couple left well before his decision to join Boehly in west London .

He said: “I supported (Potter). I was delighted that a young British manager was given a chance at one of our big clubs. I wanted it to work. I really thought it would.

“What could go wrong? He had good people around him – Marina Granovskaia – one of the smartest operators in the game – and Petr Cech, who quickly established himself as a very good technical director. Any problems and surely they would be able to advise Potter?

Directors Granovskaia (C) and Cech (R) watch the FA Cup semi-final last April

The Chelsea co-owner gave up his title as the club’s interim sporting director on Monday

“What I didn’t expect was that they were both quickly shown the door by an American owner who was desperate for headlines and just as keen to show British Englishmen how to run a football club.”

Cech and Granovskaia both decided to leave the west London club in June, handing over Chelsea’s short-term recruitment strategy to Boehly, who appointed himself interim sporting director at the club.

The American left that role this week in hopes of enduring a fruitful January transfer window at Stamford Bridge, handing responsibility to new directors Christopher Vivell and Paul Winstanley.

Potter’s Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League and were eliminated from the FA Cup on Sunday

Keys continued his scathing assessment of the chairman in his blog post titled “Owner Todd – You screwed it up.”

He said: “Of course, owner Todd knew best. A game that had stood the test of time needed changing, and he was the only one who knew how to change it.

“One of the most successful football clubs in the world did everything wrong. Owner Todd was just about to show us how it’s done.

Keys doesn’t blame the England manager for jumping at the opportunity to manage Chelsea

“Once he appointed rookie manager Potter – and he was by Chelsea’s standards – owner Todd set out to demolish the structure of the club so he could take charge.”

Supporting the manager’s decision to take the hot seat at Stamford Bridge, the presenter added: “I don’t blame Graham Potter for a minute. What should he do? One of the best football clubs in the world offers you the chance to become a coach. you are ambitious

“Your reputation is growing. You’ve done a really good job wherever you’ve been in your career so far and you stand behind yourself. So take it.’