Graham Potter's career has only been on an upward trajectory after he made his work with Swedish side Ostersunds known on the European stage in the UEFA Europa League against Arsenal.
In general, Thomas Tuchel's successor hasn't had the glitzy and glamorous path towards his first chance at the big time with this Chelsea gig. From studying at Leeds Beckett to doing his Coaching badges at Leeds Carnegie, the break at Ostersunds turned out to be his first opportunity to forge a career on the European scene and make a name at the same time.
Swansea City appointed Potter in 2018 but was snapped up by Brighton a year later. Since then, he took the Seagulls to new heights in the English first division with his work impressing the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and more.
No wonder Todd Boehly saw the Englishmen as the perfect person for this new project despite the belief that he would eventually be Gareth Southgate's replacement for the England National Team vacancy.
READ MORE: Wesley Fofana return, Raheem Sterling decision – Graham Potter's Chelsea XI vs Crystal Palace
Regardless, unlike previous Chelsea managers like a Tuchel, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Carlo Ancelotti and others, Potter has had to go down a more unorthodox and 'non-sexy' route.
"I very rarely feel sexy. Maybe you do but I don't," he responded when asked if he was a sexy manager in his pre-match Crystal Palace press conference.
With him being open about his feelings on this topic, Potter hopes he will be able to be true to himself and not have to fake a persona that would match his predecessors at Stamford Bridge.
He added: "I sincerely hope not. If you ever any success while you're trying to do anything, you have to be true to yourself. I'm not saying I'm right or wrong but I have to be me.
"Part of me is a little bit self-deprication. I'm intelligent enough to know that I started off in the bottom tier and below the bottom tier and after and after a process of trial and error and a lot of hard work and learning from other people I've got to this point.
"That's a fantastic achievement and something I really proud of but at the same time, I'm a human being that's certainly not perfect. It doesn't mean I've got all of the answers, I know I'm in the process of continuing the journey of trying to improve myself. Ultimately, if you want players to do the same thing you have to role model it as well."
One of the keys to Potter eventually reaching that 'sexy' calibre of manager in the Premier League could be how Boehly will help him imprint his values on the squad via the transfer window. Despite the American spending £270million on new recruits in his first summer as interim sporting director, Chelsea's new owners are to continue putting their money where their mouths are in future transfer windows.
Christopher Nkunku is a name hot on the agenda with various reports claiming Chelsea had held a 'secret medical' with the 24-year-old ahead of triggering the £56m release clause that was added in his new contract. The latest is that this wasn't the case according to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg who tweeted: 'News Nkunku: We have been told that it was not a medical in order to finalise a deal with CFC. It should have taken place due to insurance reasons. Yes, Chelsea wants him in 2023 but no decision yet, no signing of a pre-contract so far. But release clause!'
Regardless of what is true and not, Potter was keen not to be drawn in on all the speculation. He concluded: "I know we have not had a conversation before. My answer to that type of stuff, unless it's a player for us I don't really speak about other players. So, no comment."
Chelsea fans - How would Christopher Nkunku fit into Graham Potter's system? Leave your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below!
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