The Pride of London detail what happened during Graham Potter’s first couple of months as Chelsea head coach and subsequently rate his time at the helm.
Roller coaster ride is such a cliche expression. Although Blues fans have been experiencing a dramatic vicissitude of fortunes over almost exactly a year and a half period. The Champions League trophy was lifted in late May 2021. Roman Abramovich’s demise at CFC was initiated in February 2022, then he was quickly sanctioned and Chelsea Football Club wasn’t sold to Todd Boehly’s consortium until May that year; the fanbase were in a kind of limbo in the meantime.
Subsequently Thomas Tuchel was sacked in September, with Potter tacking over soon afterwards following an exit from EPL side Brighton & Hove Albion. Fans immediately wondered if the 47-year-old was qualified because he hasn’t been tested at a big club. Nor was the ex-footballer proficient in elite European competition as a player or head coach.
Nevertheless, The Pride of London believed the appointment astute in the sense of Potter’s character. In addition to that, he is a competent and respected tactician and developer of players. The team and personnel he assembled at the Amex is quite something considering the available funds, I’m sure you’ll all agree.
A couple of transfer windows will give us better insight into the Solihull-born gaffer’s suitability at Stamford Bridge. But how did Potter fare in his first two months or so at Chels’? Let’s dive in and have a look.
Handling the pressure
It is plain to see that Potter’s appearance has altered since joining the west Londoners. Thanks to what he pretty much described as an overly expensive haircut from a stylist for some of the lads. Along with sporting an all-black outfit for UCL outings, he does look the part. In fact, the Blues boss described his own ‘glow up’.
You could say that the Englishman’s assimilation seems the real deal. Indeed, he performs well at press conferences – despite typical Premier League boss ambiguity. Though I see some concern and potential introspection behind the veil. Occasionally he does seem slightly overawed by the situation of being the head coach of such a significant as well as globally supported club.
Worry is sometimes written all over Potter’s face, even though every manager looks panicked now and again. Maybe judging him during intensely fraught matches is unfair. And none of that matters if results are good. Furthermore, I am not suggesting that he is out of his depth, but rather that he must be afforded a decent spell to grow into the role.
Remember, Manchester City supremo Pep Guardiola once described his counterpart as “the best English manager right now”. PoL definitely consider it worth offering Potter the scope to improve and even create his CFC team.
The players certainly took to the new gaffer straight away, as outlined in this article. A personable nature, coupled with interest in how and where the athletes preferred to be deployed illuminated blossoming man management. Potter’s candid yet tactful appraisals were said to be appreciated.
Results and progress
Over most of September and October Chelsea’s results were very good. However, a drubbing at Brighton was a real letdown and wake-up call. In the Champions League Potter has established a solid Blues foundation; defeating AC Milan home and away with seeming ease were highlights.
Ironically, the chief on Fulham Road is often hailed for his flexibility and adaptive traits, but he won’t really budge from a three at the back formation. Nor will he use Marc Cucurella in his correct position. This is further confusing as the former has tried a four-man defence once or twice to some success at CFC.
Admirably, mental health was spoken of by the Blues boss, who has been personally affected. Refreshingly it related to his colleagues at other EPL outfits. Interestingly this topic was broached at a time when results deteriorated as if to say ‘look, we all go through ups and downs, so try to be understanding’. We all know Premier League gaffers are exceedingly well paid, still, nobody should put up with a torrent of abuse. That can and does cause problems for people, regardless of social status.
Overall rating for Graham Potter at Chelsea so far
Giving a definitive score is not simple, and is obviously subjective. While Potter’s side is not fully firing, he does have many qualities. Other uncontrollable elements like fitness negatively influenced many games. Nonetheless, I have tried to be as objective as possible. This grade was formed in three parts: outcomes, progress and appropriateness.
With respect to outcomes, a 5.5 feels right overall; this number would have been higher if not for struggles in fixtures against so-called big six competition, the loss to Newcastle United and his onetime club. Progress must be slightly higher, irrespective of position in the English top-flight, which is a work in progress. Progression in Europe was ultra efficient and impressive: seven.
I have given a ranking of eight for how appropriate the installation was, for reasons aforementioned. So 6.5 overall is justifiable; had there not been so many injuries, Potter might perhaps have scored higher with more hypothetical victories.
Was the former Ostersunds, Swansea City and Seagulls boss the correct choice at the Bridge? He certainly wasn’t a safe option, as explained. Yet the Englishman is a kind of prudent appointment. Trusting the process is the way here, for at least another year at least, in my opinion. Am I disregarding responsibility for the shortest appropriate longevity? Possibly. The Premier League is dog-eat-dog, however, so Boehly definitely won’t wait around too long to see fruition from heavy investment.