Meeting players and staff, first training session: Inside Graham Potter's first 36 hours at Chelsea

Graham Potter took charge of his first Chelsea training session on Friday at their Cobham training base. 

The 47-year-old was confirmed on Thursday afternoon as the man to succeed Thomas Tuchel in the dugout at Stamford Bridge. 

Potter penned a five-year contract, in line with the new Chelsea owners’ long-term vision for the club, and was handed a deal worth £60 million, £12 million-a-season. 

He brought five backroom members of staff with him from Brighton, who were paid more than £20 million to let them make the switch to the capital. 

They were all pictured for the first time since their announcement was confirmed, as revealed by Training Ground Guru. 

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He has been joined at Chelsea by assistant Billy Reid, first-team coaches Bjorn Hamberg and Bruno, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay from Brighton. 

After signing his contract on Thursday and being announced, Potter gave his first media quotes.

“I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club,” said Potter. 

“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. 

“I would also like to place my sincere thanks to Brighton & Hove Albion for allowing me this opportunity and in particular Tony Bloom and all the players, staff and supporters for their continued support during my time at the club.”

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Potter came into Cobham on Friday expecting to take his first press conference ahead of their Premier League clash against Fulham, but both were cancelled following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. 

This will mean he will have to wait for his first game in charge which will come against FC Salzburg in the Champions League on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge. 

However, as reported by Nick Purewal, he spent Thursday meeting club staff before meeting his new players and taking the first session 24 hours later on Friday. 

Potter will continue to relay his ideas and methods across to the players over the coming days, weeks and months to his squad as they aim for a top four finish in the Premier League, the target set by the new owners. 

However, some pressure has been relieved after they gave him assurances that his job wouldn’t be at risk if they didn’t secure Champions League qualification at the end of the season.