As Premier League executives this morning discussed – and eventually settled upon – cancelling this weekend's round of top-flight fixtures following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, new Chelsea head coach Graham Potter got to work at the club's training base Cobham.
The previous 48 hours had been something of a whirlwind for the 47-year-old, On Wednesday morning, Potter was at the Amex Stadium alongside his then-Brighton players for the taking of the official squad photograph. By the end of the day, he had agreed to replace Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.
Potter was confirmed as Chelsea's new head coach shortly before 4pm on Thursday. By that point, the first-team players had already departed from the club's training ground following a training session overseen by Anthony Barry, who has so far remained part of the coaching contingent.
READ MORE Graham Potter will do what Thomas Tuchel couldn't as Chelsea break from Roman Abramovich path
Potter and Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are understood to have yesterday addressed staff at Cobham, who at that point were still preparing for the Blues to take on their west London neighbours Fulham. The game was set to be the English coach's first in charge.
That is no longer the case. Talks were held this morning between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Premier League stakeholders, who then took the final decision to call off the weekend's fixtures as a mark of respect and to honour the "extraordinary life and contribution to the nation" of Queen Elizabeth II.
Potter had to ensure it was business as normal at the training ground, however. He is understood to have introduced himself to the Chelsea squad this morning before overseeing his first training session. There will be another tomorrow and more in the days ahead as Potter attempts to ingrain his tactical framework.
As things stand, Chelsea's next match is against Red Bull Salzburg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening, although no official communication has come from UEFA as to whether the fixture will be postponed. That gives Potter five consecutive – and completely unexpected – days to work with his new players.
That will undoubtedly benefit Potter as he acclimatises to life at Chelsea and those within the first-team squad acclimatise to his way of working. It's understood a key factor behind his appointment was Potter's skill as a communicator as well as a coach – and both will be needed to lift a group that had become disenfranchised in the latter stages of the Tuchel reign.
Potter has studied, worked hard and been patient for his opportunity at a top European club. That has now arrived, although he certainly would never have envisaged it would start amid the backdrop of national mourning and cancelled Premier League fixtures.
READ MORE
- The one thing Graham Potter needs from Todd Boehly at Chelsea that Thomas Tuchel was not granted
- Five Chelsea loanees Graham Potter could turn into first-team stars after Thomas Tuchel sacking
- Pep Guardiola has already approved Chelsea Graham Potter appointment amid Thomas Tuchel sacking
- Ben Chilwell question, Aubameyang mess: Chelsea players who could lose in Graham Potter arrival
- Jamie Carragher makes brutal Roman Abramovich jibe as Chelsea sack Thomas Tuchel
