Analyzing What Graham Potter’s replacement could do at Chelsea

Graham Potter’s appointment was supposed to signify the end of Chelsea’s quick-fix era and the beginning of a sensible (not to mention fashionable) ‘projects’ model.

But even billionaires with purist intentions are eventually sucked into the narrative vortex of the Premier League, seduced by the hyperspeed created by its unique financial imperatives.

It doesn’t usually take long for owners to realise this is no ordinary business, and although there is currently no indication Todd Boehly is preparing to sack a man that cost £22 million to disentangle from his Brighton contract Graham Potter is under significant pressure.
But confidence and perception are as important as performances and results, and Chelsea appear to be on a downward trajectory by these measures.

Could anyone else do better with such a bloated squad? Here’s a look at the most likely candidates to take charge should Potter fall

16 Likes

Zinedine Zidane

And now for something completely different. Zidane is Pochettino’s tactical opposite, a man whose gravitas and magnetism unleashed the potential of Real Madrid’s galacticos but left a blank space on the tactics board.

Like Carlo Ancelotti, Zidane has an instinctive talent for picking a team and formation but lacks the sophistication required to manipulate matches in the modern Premier League. He is the perfect man to oversee PSG as the wizened emperor keeping the superstars in line, but not the man to create a new vision, a new brand, for the Boehly era.
Should he take the reins Zidane would prioritise the charismatic older players who are able to control the rhythms of a game without constant instruction from the dugout, which means prominence for Thiago Silva, Kante, Matteo Kovacic, and Raheem Sterling. In a 4-3-3 that turns into a 4-4-2 when out of possession, Chelsea would feel out matches, looking for quiet control of central midfield before winning via those ‘moments’ – a flash of experience, and quality, in the front line.

13 Likes

Chelsea’s hierarchy are still publicly backing Graham Potter as of this Moment, but as a Chelsea fan, I can’t wait for him for him to leave the club as he obviously do not have what it takes to take the club forward.

My preferred replacement would be Luis Enrique. A world class and proven manager with a notable style of play. His philosophy would improve Chelsea massively and restore the winning mentality the club had once possessed.

14 Likes

Report: Chelsea have ‘concrete interest’ in replacing Graham Potter with two-time Champions League winner

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Blues have shown concrete interest into bringing Mourinho back for a third stint at the end of the season.

The Portuguese manager is currently assessing his options as his managerial career in Serie A looks like it may be appraoching its end.

images (2)

13 Likes

Removing Tuchel and Potters appointment were the biggest mistakes the owners could have made. Chelsea is paying for their ego and ‘we know it all’ confidence. All they have is the money which they used to buy super stars in the hopes that they would be in the top 4 or win the PL title. :joy:

Zidane and Enrique would be good replacement choices if they can manage to get them.

10 Likes

The ex-Spurs boss is said to have turned down an initial approach to replace Potter at Stamford Bridge, as per 90min. Despite this claim, Pochettino remains as the favourite at 3/1 to take the helm at Chelsea if Potter departs - though his odds are drifting, according to OddsChecker.

Zidane is still among the frontrunners and is now at 6/1 after he left Real Madrid for the second time in the last five years in the summer of 2021.

Former Spain boss Luis Enrique has gone up in the pecking order and now stands at 8/1. Enrique was said to have been lined up by Boehly as the next Chelsea manager if results didn’t improve under the current regime.

The man who was replaced by Potter, Thomas Tuchel, is also at 8/1 with the German coach still a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge after winning the Champions League. Tuchel may be closing in on a managerial return though with another of his former clubs, Paris-Saint Germain, ready to re-appoint him and admit they made a mistake sacking him in the first place.

The final name seeing his odds shortened is another former Chelsea boss who also won trophies during his time in west London, and many of them. AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho is placed at 12/1, although his focus will be on proceedings in Italy with Roma third in Serie A.

11 Likes

Former Barcelona and Spain boss Luis Enrique is reportedly out of the running for the Brazil job, which could leave him free to replace Graham Potter at Chelsea.

This is according to a report from Sport, who suggest there could soon be an opening for Enrique at Stamford Bridge, with Potter’s Chelsea enduring a nightmare campaign.

Chelsea would do well to bring in a more experienced name like Enrique, who did fine work at Barcelona, winning the Champions League as part of a treble-winning season in 2014/15.

Potter, by contrast, looks out of his depth at such a big club, even though he previously did such impressive work at Brighton and Hove Albion.

image

10 Likes