Thiago Silva’s wife, Belle, slammed Chelsea stars after Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Belle Silva believes Chelsea wouldn’t be struggling if more players were showing the same spirit and application as 38-year-old Chelsea defender Thiago Silva.

Belle Silva wrote on Twitter: “If there was a Thiago Silva in attack and one in midfield, with what we already have in defense.”

Reacting to Chelsea’s defeat to Fulham, Potter said: “I can also understand they (the fans) are frustrated because we’ve lost.

“That is normal. I made sure I went over and clapped them because you appreciate the support.

“It’s not easy. We’re suffering and they are suffering. So we feel for them and feel their disappointment. I think it’s important we stick together and try to get through this tough period, because it really is a tough period.

“It’s really frustrating and incredibly challenging. I feel for the supporters. We’re disappointed to lose tonight. I thought it was a relatively even game in the first half and we had a couple of good chances.

“I think the basics we can do better in terms of our defending and some of our football actions.

“But at the same time, we get back in the game and then the red card…it’s where we’re at at the moment in terms of things that can happen to us.

“We lost Denis beforehand as well and were just adjusting with Jorginho and then Joao – who was having a fantastic impact on the game and you could see his quality – to lose him and to lose him for three matches is really disappointing.”