How Chelsea could line up under Graham Potter to kickstart a new era at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea look set to appoint Graham Potter as their new manager this week and his first game in charge will be against Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues confirmed they had parted ways with Thomas Tuchel on Wednesday morning following a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
It comes after new owner Todd Boehly signed eight new players in the summer transfer window, totalling a sum of £255 million.
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Boehly has moved quickly to secure Potter's services and Brighton and Hove Albion have given the club permission to speak with the 47-year-old.
Potter is regarded as one of the best young coaches in England and his Brighton team play fast, attacking football.
He guided the Seagulls to a ninth place finish last season and they're currently in the top four after winning four of their opening six Premier League games.
So just what could he do with one of the strongest squads in Europe if he's in the dugout this weekend?
Goalkeeper picks itself, with Edouard Mendy the undisputed number one despite a few shaky performances in recent weeks.
Potter regularly uses a back three with Brighton as Tuchel did with Chelsea so that seems a natural transition. The personnel used could greatly differ however.
It's no secret Tuchel was a huge fan of Thiago Silva and the duo worked together at Paris Saint-Germain before reuniting in London.
The 37-year-old missed midweek defeat in Croatia with injury and his status for Saturday is currently unknown.
It could give Potter the chance to place Kalidou Koulibaly in the middle with younger options Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana either side.
Ironically, Cucurella left Brighton in the summer for Chelsea and will be linking up with his former boss. He's a left wing-back by trade but operated in a three at times last term.
Where things start to change compared to Tuchel is further forward. Tuchel regularly deployed a 3-4-3 compared to Potter, who prefers a 3-5-2.
Ben Chilwell and Reece James will be at wing-back and James has arguably been Chelsea's best performer in the opening month.
Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic partnering in midfield could give the energetic Mason Mount license to play a little bit further forward.
The England international will happily track back too, which would be a big help for Jorginho especially.
In Brighton's 5-2 win over Leicester City on Sunday, Potter deployed Enock Mwepu just behind Danny Welbeck and a similar tactic can be tried with Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Sterling has three goals since arriving from Manchester City in July and Aubameyang arrived from Barcelona on transfer deadline day.
He thought he'd scored on his debut against Zagreb, but had his second half effort ruled out for offside.
Topics: Chelsea, Fulham, Premier League
Daniel Marland