Revealed: Five Chelsea players set for role changes under Graham Potter

James Shearman

Updated: 10 Sept 2022 13:21 BST
3 min read

Chelsea have appointed Graham Potter from Brighton as their new head coach on a five-year deal, replacing the sacked Thomas Tuchel.

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The Blues spent a record €296 million on new players such as Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer, but results have not followed.

They have lost three of their last five games in all competitions and could only muster three shots on goal in Tuesday night's 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League - Tuchel's last game in charge.

Potter was quickly identified as the club's top target by owner Todd Boehly, beating the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane to the helm.

Speaking on the club's website after being appointed, Potter said: ''I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club.

"I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.''

Five Chelsea players set for role changes under Graham Potter

One of the key attributes that Graham Potter looks for in players is versatility; he likes to be flexible with formations depending on the opposition.

The likes of Solly March, Leandro Trossard and Pascal Gross were used in multiple positions in Potter's time at Brighton.

And many of Chelsea's first-team squad have either the experience of numerous positions or the ability to play elsewhere.

First of all, Wesley Fofana, signed for £80 million from Leicester City this summer, is capable of playing as a holding midfielder.

While Chelsea have a plethora of options in the centre of the park, none of them are traditional 'number 6's'.

Fofana came through the Saint-Etienne academy as a midfielder and could be used in a similar vein to how Potter used Ben White at the Amex Stadium two seasons ago.

Graham Potter has already held a series of one-on-one talks with senior Chelsea players. He’s stressed the importance of leadership and dressing room unity and spoken of his open door policy. He’s been keen to listen and ensure he quickly understands the culture of the club.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) September 10, 2022

Next, Chelsea's head coach may choose to deploy Christian Pulisic as a wing-back, as he did with Trossard at Brighton.

The Blues do have depth on the left, with Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella, but Pulisic could offer something different.

The USA international is yet to hold down a place in the starting eleven at Stamford Bridge; this could be his best chance.

In a more advanced position, Raheem Sterling could find himself in a new role under Potter.

The 27-year-old is used to playing on either flank, but could suit playing alongside or in behind a striker - likely to be Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Potter often uses a 3-5-2 formation, without wingers, so Sterling could be asked to do what he has occasionally done for England alongside Harry Kane.