While there were many that were initially shocked and surprised that Thomas Tuchel had been sacked from his role as Chelsea manager, there will have been some delight amongst the fanbase that Graham Potter had been the man to replace him.
The Englishman had been impressive during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion as he had turned the Seagulls into a competitive force in the Premier League during his tenure, while many had touted him for something bigger.
There will have been some of the most profitable football tipsters around that would have felt that the England job could have been a possibility for the manager in the future, while many may have predicted that he would end up getting one of the biggest jobs in world football.
And, given his first month or so in charge, it would seem that he has proven everyone right in that he is ready for a huge step in his own career and is now in a position to be challenging with the best for silverware.
Potter has only had a handful of games since taking charge, although he has had to navigate tricky UEFA Champions League matches successfully, while he has also had tough Premier League fixtures that have tested him and his new team.
He has come out unscathed as of the moment, though, suggesting that he has passed with flying colors. Indeed, many will be impressed that he has remained unbeaten in the five games that he has had, while he has managed to turn the Blues’ fortunes in the UCL around after the shocking defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in Tuchel’s last game at the club.
It should not just be the unbeaten performances and results that Potter should be taking credit for, though, as he has made some calls in the team that may have surprised many, too.
For instance, the goalkeeper position is one area where he seems to have made a huge change. While Edouard Mendy was injured when he arrived, the manager has decided to stick with Kepa Arrizabalaga since joining Stamford Bridge and that decision appears to have paid dividends already.
The Spaniard – who has had an up-and-down career at the Bridge – has managed to keep three clean sheets in the last five games, with each of the three in the last three matches. His confidence appears to be back, which could keep Mendy out of the team.
Additionally, he has kept players such as Kalidou Koulibaly and Denis Zakaria out of the team – with the latter yet to even pick up a single minute.
