Graham Potter appointed Chelsea manager

RedDevilRoshi

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Brighton fans will be gutted with this considering it’s so early in the season and not something they were anticipating 48 hours ago.
 

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Not sure if it's the right move at this point in his career. Ok, when a top club comes calling you go but Chelsea is in turmoil and they eat and spit managers like there's no tomorrow. Feel sorry for Brighton too, wonder where they go from here.
 

lex talionis

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Not sure if it's the right move at this point in his career. Ok, when a top club comes calling you go but Chelsea is in turmoil and they eat and spit managers like there's no tomorrow. Feel sorry for Brighton too, wonder where they go from here.
My thoughts as well. Chelsea are without question the wurst club of the top six clubs for an up an coming manager to join. It may work out, but there’s a much better chance that Chelsea will turn Potter into hamburger meat.
 

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My thoughts as well. Chelsea are without question the wurst club of the top six clubs for an up an coming manager to join. It may work out, but there’s a much better chance that Chelsea will turn Potter into hamburger meat.
Yup. He might have risk it (in the sense who knows when and if a big club will come calling again) and say not now, I'm building something with Brighton. I mean, I get why he took it but then again it's a risk too.
 

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Moyes vibes with this one. Is there anything particularly tactically innovative that he's doing at Brighton?
 

JustAGuest

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Hopefully he'll be back at Brighton next summer. I was really interested to see how far he could take them
With their resources I don't think he can do that much more. They lost their two best players this summer and I expect that to continue if they do well. Maybe he could establish them as the 8th best team (behind the big 6 & Newcastle)?
 

kelvinwong2026

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Not sure if it's the right move at this point in his career. Ok, when a top club comes calling you go but Chelsea is in turmoil and they eat and spit managers like there's no tomorrow. Feel sorry for Brighton too, wonder where they go from here.
True. But it seems unlikely that any other top-6 teams are going to have openings in the near term. So I can understand him grabbing this chance.
 

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Moyes vibes with this one. Is there anything particularly tactically innovative that he's doing at Brighton?
People more conversant with the minutiae of styles and formations can answer this better, but I think it's less about being innovative and more (a) the style, (b) the consistency and (c) ability to adapt his approach to different kinds of player levels so far in his career (hence all the talk, trendiness aside, about his expertise in emotional management'/ holistic management-related psychology/the Masters).

I know Moyes is (despite the recent upturn in managerial fortunes) viewed with some understandable scepticism here for his tenure at United, and subsequent tailspin across spells at Sociedad, Sunderland etc, but in some ways I think the comparison is apposite with Potter in terms of achievements at Everton - Moyes might even argue the case for it being greater given the duration, European finishes etc. The major difference though, Moyes' notorious hesitancy aside with regards to signing players (which by all accounts was the main thing costing us Thiago) even at Everton, is that they were generally a counterpunching, underdog side, bypassing pressure through Fellaini or Cahill. Potter's sides go toe to toe or , dependent upon the opposition, even dominate the ball, deploying more fluid systems in possession. For the last couple of seasons they've essentially been a low-cost, unglamorous (if hipster-friendly) top-6 side on xG and in general approach who've simply lacked a forward capable of fulfilling Potter's general requirements in building play, pressing etc whilst Also finishing chances off - Maupay had spells where he appeared capable of both but not consistently enough.

Potter's also capable of managing upwards as well as down, horizontally etc, including working around the owner's peccadillos, working alongside the incoming DOF, entertaining senior managements requirements for fortnightly powerpoint updates and recruitment analysis which Tuchel seemingly had less patience for despite his own technocratic style . Moyes was thrown into a more chaotic situation in terms of lack of infrastructure, even higher expectations (post SAF and the league win), no immediate plan for a DOF - which Chelsea will recruit sooner rather than later - whilst perceiving himself (correctly) incapable of meeting the requirements of being his own DOF at a super-club level, the almost unprecedentedly bad footballing input of Woodwardn in the absence of an actual DOF or Moyes being able to take charge of these functions whilst coaching the side...
 
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People more conversant with the minutiae of styles and formations can answer this better, but I think it's less about being innovative and more (a) the style, (b) the consistency and (c) ability to adapt his approach to different kinds of player levels so far in his career (hence all the talk, trendiness aside, about his expertise in emotional management'/ holistic management-related psychology/the Masters).

I know Moyes is (despite the recent upturn in managerial fortunes) viewed with some understandable scepticism here for his tenure at United, and subsequent tailspin across spells at Sociedad, Sunderland etc, but in some ways I think the comparison is apposite with Potter in terms of achievements at Everton - Moyes might even argue the case for it being greater given the duration, European finishes etc. The major difference though, Moyes' notorious hesitancy aside with regards to signing players (which by all accounts was the main thing costing us Thiago) even at Everton, is that they were generally a counterpunching, underdog side, bypassing pressure through Fellaini or Cahill. Potter's sides go toe to toe or , dependent upon the opposition, even dominate the ball, deploying more fluid systems in possession. For the last couple of seasons they've essentially been a low-cost, unglamorous (if hipster-friendly) top-6 side on xG and in general approach who've simply lacked a forward capable of fulfilling Potter's general requirements in building play, pressing etc whilst Also finishing chances off - Maupay had spells where he appeared capable of both but not consistently enough.

Potter's also capable of managing upwards as well as down, horizontally etc, including working around the owner's peccadillos, working alongside the incoming DOF, entertaining senior managements requirements for fortnightly powerpoint updates and recruitment analysis which Tuchel seemingly had less patience for despite his own technocratic style . Moyes was thrown into a more chaotic situation in terms of lack of infrastructure, even higher expectations (post SAF and the league win), no immediate plan for a DOF - which Chelsea will recruit sooner rather than later - whilst perceiving himself (correctly) incapable of meeting the requirements of being his own DOF at a super-club level, the almost unprecedentedly bad footballing input of Woodwardn in the absence of an actual DOF or Moyes being able to take charge of these functions whilst coaching the side...
Very interesting reply, thanks. I think it's fair to say that he's been able to perform without the level of pressure that he's going to experience at Chelsea, not just from the owners and fans who, while appearing patient at the moment, can clearly turn very quickly, but also from the dressing room who will no doubt have concerns about his pedigree. These are ambitious players with short careers, not players working their way up the ladder in the hope of standing out.

He's obviously done a very good job at Brighton but are they really that good? I'm not so sure. We were terrible against them at OT but that match could still have gone the other way, Rashford had two good chances. If we were playing them next week, I'd anticipate a difficult game but would be concerned if we didn't beat them relatively comfortably. There's a chance he could turn out to be a great signing but history suggests that things usually go south quickly at the top of the premier league and, when they do, it's hard to find a way back. I've no doubt he'll get an easy ride from the press which could work to his advantage.
 

lex talionis

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Moyes vibes with this one. Is there anything particularly tactically innovative that he's doing at Brighton?
I really don't think so. What he's done at Brighton is to inspire his players to play their peak potential, play for each other and adapt without complaints to exploit the weaknesses of their opponents. Rather than there being one tactical philosophy you can count on from Brighton what they do is make it difficult for opponents to prepare for them. Perhaps you can count on a back three with wingbacks more often than not, but Potter is just as comfortable setting up to counter as he is to control possession. Let's give the man a chance, but the step from Brighton to Chelsea is more than huge -- it's massive.
 

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That was lightning quick. 24 hour turnaround from sacking a manager to hiring one. They must have been chatting to Potter a while ago.
Romano shared an interesting story today. When Boehly met with the Brighton people in the Summer they were surprised that he seemed to know everything about Potter: how often he used different formations, tendencies in his in game switches, career history. It stood out to them because of his relative inexperience in football.

Then when he got to sit down and talk with Cucurella, he spent almost as much time asking him about Potter as he did talking about Chelsea.

With all the other storylines in this saga, it may be as much about realizing they wanted Potter as it was about moving on from Tuchel.
 

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People more conversant with the minutiae of styles and formations can answer this better, but I think it's less about being innovative and more (a) the style, (b) the consistency and (c) ability to adapt his approach to different kinds of player levels so far in his career (hence all the talk, trendiness aside, about his expertise in emotional management'/ holistic management-related psychology/the Masters).

I know Moyes is (despite the recent upturn in managerial fortunes) viewed with some understandable scepticism here for his tenure at United, and subsequent tailspin across spells at Sociedad, Sunderland etc, but in some ways I think the comparison is apposite with Potter in terms of achievements at Everton - Moyes might even argue the case for it being greater given the duration, European finishes etc. The major difference though, Moyes' notorious hesitancy aside with regards to signing players (which by all accounts was the main thing costing us Thiago) even at Everton, is that they were generally a counterpunching, underdog side, bypassing pressure through Fellaini or Cahill. Potter's sides go toe to toe or , dependent upon the opposition, even dominate the ball, deploying more fluid systems in possession. For the last couple of seasons they've essentially been a low-cost, unglamorous (if hipster-friendly) top-6 side on xG and in general approach who've simply lacked a forward capable of fulfilling Potter's general requirements in building play, pressing etc whilst Also finishing chances off - Maupay had spells where he appeared capable of both but not consistently enough.

Potter's also capable of managing upwards as well as down, horizontally etc, including working around the owner's peccadillos, working alongside the incoming DOF, entertaining senior managements requirements for fortnightly powerpoint updates and recruitment analysis which Tuchel seemingly had less patience for despite his own technocratic style . Moyes was thrown into a more chaotic situation in terms of lack of infrastructure, even higher expectations (post SAF and the league win), no immediate plan for a DOF - which Chelsea will recruit sooner rather than later - whilst perceiving himself (correctly) incapable of meeting the requirements of being his own DOF at a super-club level, the almost unprecedentedly bad footballing input of Woodwardn in the absence of an actual DOF or Moyes being able to take charge of these functions whilst coaching the side...
Are you The Athletic?
 

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A surreal sight to see an English man managing a top four/big 6 club. In fact, I can't recall it really happening much at all in the modern Premier League era. We've had three Brits I can recall with Brendan, Moyesy and Lampard at Chelsea, any more?
 

TheReligion

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Romano shared an interesting story today. When Boehly met with the Brighton people in the Summer they were surprised that he seemed to know everything about Potter: how often he used different formations, tendencies in his in game switches, career history. It stood out to them because of his relative inexperience in football.

Then when he got to sit down and talk with Cucurella, he spent almost as much time asking him about Potter as he did talking about Chelsea.

With all the other storylines in this saga, it may be as much about realizing they wanted Potter as it was about moving on from Tuchel.
That’s interesting but at what point did Boehly recognise they only played with 11 players?
 

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A surreal sight to see an English man managing a top four/big 6 club. In fact, I can't recall it really happening much at all in the modern Premier League era. We've had three Brits I can recall with Brendan, Moyesy and Lampard at Chelsea, any more?
Woy. And if you count Spurs then ‘Arry and probably a shit load of other Spurs managers.
 

redshaw

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A surreal sight to see an English man managing a top four/big 6 club. In fact, I can't recall it really happening much at all in the modern Premier League era. We've had three Brits I can recall with Brendan, Moyesy and Lampard at Chelsea, any more?
Tim Sherwood at Spurs in 2013/14 and Harry Redknapp before him. Might be stretching it a little as top 3 only got the CL then but they finished 4th and 5th under Redknapp.
 

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Woy. And if you count Spurs then ‘Arry and probably a shit load of other Spurs managers.
Forgot about Woy!

Tim Sherwood at Spurs in 2013/14 and Harry Redknapp before him. Might be stretching it a little as top 3 only got the CL then but they finished 4th and 5th under Redknapp.
Yeah not sure to what extent I'd include Spurs before the Poch era but I guess technically Harry and Durrwood would count.
 

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Tim Sherwood at Spurs in 2013/14 and Harry Redknapp before him. Might be stretching it a little as top 3 only got the CL then but they finished 4th and 5th under Redknapp.
PL have had the top four go into the CL since the early-mid 00's if you include the playoffs. The only reason Spurs didn't get CL that one season they finished 4th was due to Chelsea winning it and finishing outside the top 4.
 

Synco

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One of the major challenges Potter will face as an elite team coach is to reliably create offensive dynamic against reactive teams while keeping stability against their counters. Smaller PL teams are pretty good at making things hard for the top teams, who are kind of doomed to excel in possession play. Tuchel didn't manage to do find that formula consistently with this squad, things even getting worse over time*. Will be interesting to see if Potter can get more out of Chelsea's midfield/attacking options.

* I'm aware of the mitigating circumstances last season