How Graham Potter could set up at Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel has controversially had his Chelsea career cut short as he was sacked only a day after his 100th game in charge. Tuchel admitted following the loss in Zagreb, "This is a huge underperformance from all of us... not precise enough, not clinical enough and it's not aggressive enough". However he also expressed his shock at this result, "I thought the team was prepared... I didn't see it coming, that's why I'm angry at myself". 

Following the sacking, Chelsea moved swiftly appointing highly rated Brighton coach, Graham Potter. The Englishman's appointment at Chelsea represents a huge step up for him, and for Chelsea a move in a new direction, away from appointing star-studded names.

So that begs the question, how will Potter's Chelsea team line up and will his Brighton style and philosophy translate to Chelsea?

In order to discuss how Potter will use the Chelsea squad, we have to look at how he had Brighton set up, as it can be assumed he will attempt to continue with this formation and set up, as it gave him so much success.

Potter's Brighton side has started this season immensely, currently sitting 4th, on 13 points after 6 games. Brighton has predominately played in a three-at-the-back formation, varying from a 3-5-2 to a 3-4-2-1 or even a 3-3-3-1, it is safe to say he will look to set Chelsea up similarly, to begin with, especially given the two big money centre-backs who joined the blues in the summer window. 

So with this in mind, what will Potter's preferred Chelsea XI look like?

Predicting Potter's Chelsea line-up (3-4-1-2)

GK: Edouard Mendy - Like most modern coaches, Potter expects his goalkeepers to be as good on the ball with their feet as they are at shot-stopping. While Mendy is not the most effective ball player (as seen against Leeds), he remains the best option in net at the club. 

RCB: Wesley Fofana - It has barely been a fortnight since Fofana joined the club from Leicester in a bank-breaking deal of around £70 million, and I expect him to be Potter's key man in defence. Fofana has experience playing in a back three and has the attributes to grow into a world-class defender under Potter.

CB: Thiago Silva - Silva is ageing like a fine wine and despite turning 38 in two weeks remains one of the best around. His composure and leadership is essential for Chelsea in what is a time of change and rebuilding. When fit, he is a must start, with competent backup in the form of Kalidou Koulibaly ready to step in if needed.

LCB: Marc Cucurella - Possibly the riskiest prediction, Cucurella signed for around £50 million in the summer from Brighton as a left-back. However, Potter has previously worked with Cucurella and had, at the end of the last reason begun to deploy him as a wide centre-back, which saw results such as a 4-0 win against United.

RM: Reece James - James is a right-sided player perfect for Potter, he is extremely capable in defence while being good enough to also go forward. This almost advanced wing-back role in a Potter side will see James highly involved in each third of the pitch, with an additional license to get forward which should suit him well.

RCM: N'Golo Kante - Kante has long been one of the most consistent and reliable midfielders in the league, and his all-action style will bode well with new boss Potter. Kante's role will be box to box, a role he does very well. In the event of an injury to Kante, Conor Gallagher would provide a good option.

LCM: Mateo Kovacic - This position was a toss-up between Jorginho and Kovacic, with the latter edging it due to his enhanced mobility. Kovacic has the perfect mould of high energy and strong technical ability, which makes him a shoe-in for this Potter side due to the importance he places on these qualities.

LM: Ben Chilwell - With Cucurella moving into a centre-back role, Chilwell likely comes in as the starting left-sided player. Chilwell will be coming off a very impressive cameo against West Ham, scoring one and assisting one, following his substitute appearance. Expect Cucurella and Chilwell to swap and exchange often creating a dynamic and fluid left side.

AM: Mason Mount - Mount's energy and work ethic have made him popular under each of his managers at Chelsea and England so far in his career, and this will continue under Potter. Potter will allow Mount to play in his favoured role, dropping back out of possession, encouraging him to get among the goals again.

ST: Kai Havertz - Potter has opted for a front two this season mainly, I expect this to continue, with Havertz being enlisted as the one of the two who drops deeper, akin to Neal Maupay at Brighton. A striker for Potter must be willing to put in the work, move and get involved in the build-up of play, something Havertz can offer in bundles.

ST: Raheem Sterling - Raheem Sterling is my pick for the second striker position ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who is more of an out-and-out striker than Sterling. Sterling is capable of playing in a 2 man-strike partnership as seen for England alongside Harry Kane in the previous World Cup and Euros. Being only 27, Sterling is in his prime and has had a positive start to life at Chelsea contributing three goals and one assist to date.