helsea could begin a new era this week as Graham Potter prepares to take his first match as the club’s head coach....CONTINUE READING
The ex-Brighton boss was announced as Thomas Tuchel’s successor at Stamford Bridge just over three years after taking the top job on the south coast.]Potter is one of the best coaches in the Premier League and will be hoping to thrive at Stamford Bridge
Tuchel delivered a Champions League for Chelsea, but was axed by the new regime
While it remains to be seen when the Blues will be next in action as a 12-day period of mourning takes place due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Potter will be hoping to see his side in Champions League action midweek.
A clash with Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League is next up for the Blues and that will give fans an early taste of what they can look forward to under one of the best coaches in the country.
Here, talkSPORT.com takes a lot at how Potter’s side could line up against the Austrian outfit.
The boss will have some big decision to make when it comes to fitting Chelsea’s talented squad into his favoured 3-5-2 formation.
Edouard Mendy looks set to keep his place in goal, while Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva and Wesley Fofana look like the club’s best options to provide stability and balance in the back three.
Reece James will be expected to slot into the role at right wing-back, while Potter’s former star at Brighton, Marc Cucurella, could be given a chance to impress on the left.
Cucurella could find himself reunited with his former boss at Stamford Bridge
Speaking on talkSPORT Adrian Durham said: “I look at a player like Cucurella and yeah, you could say that he’s improved to the point where Brighton have sold him to Chelsea for £50-odd-million, but I’m thinking that every time I’ve seen him play for Chelsea I’m thinking what’s going on.”
“Hopefully, for his sake, Potter turns up and turns him into the player that Chelsea thought they were buying, but I can’t see it right now.”
However, Ben Chilwell could also feature, providing he can prove his fitness.
Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho will be Chelsea’s first choice midfield pairing as they provide stability and ball-playing ability to get the team moving forward.
Meanwhile, Mason Mount will be hoping to show his true colours once again following a mixed start to the season by his own high standards.
Sterling has made a strong start to life at Stamford Bridge and will be hoping to continue that form
One area that Potter will be looking to improve is the attack.
Raheem Sterling has made a decent start in front of goal for his new club with three goals in six Premier League games so far, but he’ll no doubt benefit from the addition of a proven marksman alongside him.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made his debut for the Blues in the 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb last time out, but with a bit more work on the training ground he could be ready to really make a big impact as Potter strives to get his feet under the table at Stamford Bridge.
Ashton discussed the attack for talkSPORT, saying: “We’re talking about a whole different level [than at Brighton].
Aubameyang will be hoping to be Potter’s star man in west London
“If you create chances for Aubameyang, Sterling, Mount and Haverz, I don’t think they’re missing chances with the regularity that the Brighton players were.
“With Potter going to Chelsea he’s certainly got a better pedigree of players so that if he creates the chances then they’ll be able to take them.”
Here’s how Chelsea could line up in their first match under new boss Graham Potter.
