Model, central midfield and strikers: Potter’s key Chelsea points to sort out | Chelsea

Graham Potter has cast his status as a supervisor by creating groups with a transparent taking part in fashion. Chelsea have the gamers to implement his passing philosophy however the query is how lengthy it is going to take for the previous Birmingham and Stoke midfielder to transmit his concepts. Tuchel famously made an instantaneous influence after he took over from Frank Lampard initially of final 12 months and, though Potter is up in opposition to it to match the German’s achievement in profitable the Champions League, he will probably be below no illusions concerning the expectations of his new employers.

Tuchel’s success in his first few months at Stamford Bridge was based mostly on their watertight three-man defence however the departures of Antonio Rüdiger and – to a lesser extent – Andreas Christensen created a large downside. The signings of Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana for a mixed £103m ought to resolve this as soon as each have correctly discovered their toes however, for now, it’s seemingly that the brand new supervisor should lean closely on the 37-year-old Thiago Silva. Conserving each pricey left-backs, Ben Chilwell (£45m) and the previous Brighton defender Marc Cucurella (£55m), completely happy may even be a problem, though you may wager Potter has a plan.

Brighton’s gamers have been adept at morphing between programs below Potter and he could have famous the confusion created by a few of Tuchel’s ways in opposition to Dinamo Zagreb in what turned out to be the German’s final match. Anticipate Chelsea to undertake a extra inflexible method within the opening weeks – maybe sticking with the 3-4-3 that was Tuchel’s go-to formation – as Potter works his magic in coaching, though the 47-year-old will know that he should create a aspect who’re thrilling to look at as nicely. Getting the very best out of his wing-backs, particularly the damaging Reece James on the appropriate flank after he signed a brand new five-year contract on Tuesday, will probably be key to creating them tick once more.

Typically with out the companies of N’Golo Kanté due to persistent accidents over the previous 12 months, Chelsea struggled to impose themselves in matches below Tuchel and it was a shock this space wasn’t strengthened within the switch window. Brighton’s development below Potter has been marked by their rising skill to dominate possession and dictate play – even in opposition to among the Premier League’s greatest golf equipment – so discovering the appropriate mixture from choices that embody Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher will probably be essential. Making certain that Kanté, who has entered the ultimate 12 months of his contract, is again quickly would even be helpful.

Mason Mount was the one Chelsea participant to talk to the press after the defeat in opposition to Dinamo regardless of a troublesome night as he struggled in quite a lot of positions. “We’re a workforce that bounces again, we’re robust, and we use this as a second in time the place we get collectively and take a look at how we get out of this way,” the England midfielder mentioned. The 23-year-old scored 11 targets and supplied 10 assists for Chelsea within the Premier League final season however has but to get off the mark in both class on this marketing campaign. Discovering the very best position for the academy product, who has established himself because the heartbeat of the membership along with his sensible performances over the previous few years, will probably be excessive up on Potter’s listing of duties.

The signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on switch deadline day to switch Romelu Lukaku was Tuchel’s final throw of the cube after a summer time that had seen Chelsea flirt with the potential for signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Aubameyang is 33 and never fairly the participant he was at Borussia Dortmund below Tuchel, so Potter should determine whether or not to construct his assault across the Gabon striker or take a distinct method. Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling provide options by way of the center and would supply an identical work price to that given by the excellent Danny Welbeck at Brighton this season. Armando Broja – who signed a brand new profitable six-year deal after excelling on mortgage at Southampton final season – may additionally come extra into the combination.