After an impressive start to life as Chelsea boss, and becoming the second English Blues boss to go unbeaten in his nine opening matches in charge, Graham Potter was brought back down to earth with a bump. Defeat to Brighton saw the start of a disappointing run for the Blues that the head coach will be hoping to overcome against Bournemouth.
Potter has not been short of criticism since results changed direction, with many pointing to his inclination to rotate the side and change system as a deficiency. Though it must be pointed out that there has also been no shortage of injuries and rotation required during what was an intense October and November period.
As the year comes to close, it's clear it has been one of great change for Chelsea. New owners, a new head coach and quite a few new players all finding their way at the club simultaneously. It's a situation that makes the season difficult to assess so far, though everyone will agree eighth is not good enough.
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Former Chelsea star Wayne Bridge has suggested the relationship between Potter and Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali will be key moving forwards. The ex-defender believes that the Chelsea boss needs time, with new signings being key to how the Blues progress moving forwards.
Bridge told football.london: "It's a difficult one because Chelsea don't keep their managers on for a long time. You do need to get results but then you need to look at [Jurgen] Klopp took time and it's just how long you're going to give someone a chance to get going. It's who is going to sign and does he get the signings that he wants or is it someone that Chelsea want. Give him time. They're definitely going through a period Chelsea where they've got to build again a little bit and signings are going to be massively important and hopefully him and the owners have a good relationship and he gets what he wants and they believe in the same thing and he can build on it. Definitely needs to be some improvement."
Bridge arrived at Chelsea shortly after the last takeover took place at Stamford Bridge, and played under Claudio Ranieri - the Tinkerman. Nevertheless, the ex-Southampton and Man City ace believes that Jose Mourinho's method of light rotation was more beneficial. The 42-year-old echoed concerns about Potter's rotation and believes Chelsea must also dictate to the opposition but accepted rest is required to compete at the highest level.
Bridge noted that constant rotation can bring a degree of frustration for players and provided a warning for any coach that brings in a large number of changes.
He said: "It is frustrating, it definitely is. When Ashley [Cole] was there, I was still playing 20, nearly 30 games a season as you play so many games. Sometimes, you know, you can change too much but Mourinho used to tweak formation a little but sometimes I think you have to put your own stamp on the game, let teams change for you a bit more.
"Every manager is different but you definitely need that core in the team, I think you can definitely tinker a bit too much. You do need a rest at some stage, every player does want to play and will play even if they do need a rest but I think it's good to give them players a rest.
"Sometimes, personally I think you can change too many players because it effects too much as there are too many players wanting to impress the manager and playing the game doesn't go the way you want it."
The 2022/23 season has brought a new environment for everyone at the club, with so much change not seen since Roman Abramovich arrived on British shores. Bridge acknowledged that it can be a fantastic time to be part of a club but it also brings a mix of emotions and pressure, and can provide an added layer of difficulty for signings such as Raheem Sterling.
"It's all of it, it's exciting, there's pressure and sometimes you've got to realise it's not always that easy for a signing to slip in and play well," said Bridge.
"It can take time whether they're moving country or moving area. Me, personally when I moved, there were nerves and pressure but once the whistle goes everything goes out of the window. I felt like I settle quite quick but it's not always easy. You join a team that plays very different... I went from Southampton to Chelsea, it's kind of easy because we were always under the cosh, we never kept the ball a lot.
"I noticed the difference from Chelsea to Manchester City, who were kind of starting but I had playing in a team where it was easy. Work hard for each other, top quality players who would close down, we had a top quality structure, everyone got on well and you always felt in control of a game. Went to Man City, I had Robinho in front of me, great player, very skilful but if I overlapped him nine times out of ten I wasn't getting the ball so I'd be sprinting back. It was very different."
Bridge did reflect that finding a new environment can provide a benefit for some too. He added: "It's like Rice for instance, if he joins Chelsea he's going to bloody enjoy it. He'd be playing in a team that can play very, very good football and sometimes control game and he's not under the cosh as much. Not that I'm saying West Ham are a bad team, I love West Ham."
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