How Chelsea wants to face Aston Villa - Potter has said it all.

 

How Chelsea wants to face Bournemouth - Potter has said it all.

Blues owner and chairman Todd Boehly has moved fast to appoint the former Brighton boss who has emerged as perhaps the most exciting English manager for some time.

After miraculously taking Swedish side Ostersund from the fourth tier to the Europa League knockout stage, and impressing at Championship club Swansea, Brighton hired Potter in 2019.

In three seasons, the 47-year-old has transformed the Seagulls with his technical, possession-based football, with his side notably competing against the Premier League’s elite when it came to expected points, even after selling their best players to rival teams.

Last season, Brighton finished a best-ever ninth in the table and although they are currently fourth after six games, Potter has decided now is the time to swap the south coast for west London.

So, what can Chelsea players and fans expect? Metro Sport takes a look at what Potterball might look like at Stamford Bridge…

Standard Potterball

The difficulty in analysing Potter’s style of football is that he seems to change his formation and line-up for every game, rotating his players and adapting for every opponent.

But overall, the basis for his flexible side is a 3-5-2 formation that seeks to press and hound the opposition, winning the ball and quickly transitioning the play forward at the earliest opportunity.

As such, with everyone fit and available, his best XI may look very similar to Tuchel’s but will operate very differently with one midfielder, possibly Mateo Kovacic, dropping deep to pick up the ball from the defence, while two others will act as No.8s, though how offensive Potter chooses to be will determine the personnel.

Meanwhile, Potter has been known to play without a conventional striker and often favours a front two consisting of a midfielder and a forward, with Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz seemingly perfect for this.

Chelsea 3-5-2 lineup

Mateo Kovacic’s confidence in posession will be key for Graham Potter

Only one centre-back

Under Potter, Chelsea players will have to adapt to different positions so don’t be surprised if forwards become defenders and vice versa.

The wingbacks will be required to do more attacking than defending, something that will suit Ben Chilwell to a tee but could also allow out-of-favour winger Christian Pulisic to remodel himself. The American could use his pace and trickery in a similar vein to Brighton stars Leonardo Trossard and Solly March.

So where would that leave the current first-choice full-backs Marc Cucurella and Reece James? Well, Cucurella only left Brighton for Chelsea this summer, so providing there are no hard feelings between the player and manager he will stay in the team, as will the undroppable James.

Both are capable of playing in a back-three, either side of the experience and leadership of Thiago Silva or Kalidou Koulibaly.

Christian Pulisic could relaunch his Chelsea career under Graham Potter

Back to basics

Should Potter decide to ditch a back-three, 4-4-2 would be his preference, again with a midfielder operating up top.

Although that change could affect Koulibaly and Silva’s lack of pace, big money signing Wesley Fofana should ease that concern.

Tuchel struggled to get the best out of many of his attacking options, including Sterling, Havertz, Pulisic, Mason Mount, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech and Armando Broja.

In this formation and when in possession, Chelsea will have four fluid and fantastic forwards in their front-line which Blues fans will hope can fire them to silverware.

Wesley Fofana’s pace would be relied upon heavily in a 4-4-2 formation

MORE : From Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Conor Gallagher: The winners and losers from Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea sacking

MORE : Manchester United should have appointed Chelsea-bound Graham Potter, says Paul Merson

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Share

MORE

William Gallas says Chelsea should have signed World Cup star instead of two 'panic buys' 

Worried about cost of living? Super easy ways to help cut down your bills 

Chelsea FCThomas TuchelPierre-Emerick Aubameyang

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

WHAT'S TRENDING NOW

Emmanuel Petit worried about Arsenal defender Ben White after ‘really weird’ incident

Arsenal should sign World Cup finalist and Chelsea outcast to replace Gabriel Jesus, says Kevin Campbell

William Gallas says Chelsea should have signed World Cup star Josko Gvardiol instead of two ‘panic buys’

Shakhtar Donetsk confirm Arsenal interest in Mykhailo Mudryk ahead of the January transfer window

Argentina World Cup parade stopped after man fell off bus when he tried to jump on from bridge

© 2022 Associated Newspapers Limited

Powered by WordPress.com VIP Your ad choices

Contributors Newzit Daily Mail Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Site map Contact Us About Don't sell my info