Graham Potter's Wednesday morning started at Brighton's AMEX Stadium where him, his staff and players were having their annual team picture taken for the new season.
Within hours, Chelsea identified Potter as the leading candidate to replace the departing Thomas Tuchel, and Todd Boehly is now set to hold talks with the 47-year-old about becoming their new head coach. football.london understands that Potter is, along with Mauricio Pochettino, the frontrunner for the vacancy.
Potter's Brighton side have started the season in impressive fashion, currently sitting above Chelsea in the table in a Champions League spot. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has highlighted the importance of Potter staying at the club if the Seagulls are to maintain their form.
"No," replied Mac Allister when asked by Sky Sports News if Potter had already said his goodbyes.
"To be honest, I don't know anything. We don't speak about the situation. He's really important for us and we want him to be here for a long time."
Mac Allister also offered an intriguing insight into the type of management the Chelsea players can expect if Potter is appointed as the club's new head coach. Very much a modern-day manager, Potter has often been praised for the way he deals with players on a personal level.
"The first year [in the Premier League] wasn't easy for me, and he helped me realise that maybe I wasn't physically at the level of the Premier League," said Mac Allister. "But he didn't come and say 'oh you're not [physical enough]' and start blaming me, he helped me every day to be a better player.
"I'm really grateful for him and he knows how much I appreciate what he did for me."
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