Graham Potter offers early positive glimpse at Chelsea but still work to do after first game

On Wednesday night, Graham Potter took charge of his first ever match at Chelsea since taking over the club following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel last week.

It wasn’t the greatest result to kick off the new era, drawing 1-1 at home to Red Bull Salzburg, but a proud moment in Potter’s career nonetheless, who managed a game in the Champions League for the first time in his managerial career.

There will be many more to come and even happier moments ahead, and after just a few training sessions in charge, Potter’s blueprint is already starting to show, particularly in the shape of the team and the choice in personnel.

For starters, Potter chose to stick with experience in the backline when trying to get his players to adopt his methods. Cesar Azpilicueta, who is a multiple-European Cup winner, lifting the Champions League and two Europa League trophies with Chelsea, as well as Thiago Silva starting in defence for the Blues alongside Marc Cucurella, who was with Potter at Brighton.

We’re just one game in, but the feeling is that Potter will remain with his preferred 3-5-2 formation, and be tactically flexible in the process, sticking to his beliefs from his spell at Brighton.

A familiar face was deployed at right wing-back with Reece James taking his accustomed spot, while a few eyebrows were raised when Raheem Sterling occupied the exact same role on the opposite flank.

That did, however, prove to be a success with Sterling becoming the first – and only – player so far to score under Potter’s reign.

Each change seems to be for the greater good of the club, even the decision to pair Kai Havertz up top with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a striking duo, rather than being in isolation in that role by themselves.

Both Havertz and Aubameyang are yet to get going for the campaign, but playing as a strike partnership will help alleviate some of the pressure that comes with playing as a forward for Chelsea.

The Blues are not in action for a while after their Premier League fixture against Liverpool was postponed following the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and policing resources being stretched in London.

Next week is also an international break so Potter will be given even more time to bulk up his team and get them thinking on the same wavelength in hope of reviving Chelsea’s disappointing start to the campaign.

Chelsea then return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace after the break in Potter’s first London derby before a crucial Champions League tie against AC Milan, where the Blues have their work cut out for them after failing to register their first win of the new season in the competition.