Graham Potter has played a huge role in convincing Mykhaylo Mudryk to join Chelsea instead of Arsenal, according to reports. The 22-year-old was heavily linked with a move to the Gunners at the start of month but the Blues appear to have swooped in and snatched the winger from their grasp.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Potter had a phone call with Mudryk a couple of days ago ahead of the west Londoners' opening bid on Saturday. It's said that the 47-year-old explained the project that is unfolding at Stamford Bridge - this was the first 'concrete step' in luring the Ukraine international away from Mikel Arteta's side.
Talks between Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk were thought to have been progressing well, with Mikel Arteta's side tabling an initial bid in the region of £55million in late December, football.london understands. Since then, Arsenal have remained in contact with the Ukrainian side and, as recently as Friday, there was confidence that they were wrapping up a deal.
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Then, on Saturday, Chelsea submitted a bid of their own which is thought to be around £88million, including add-ons; Shakhtar's long-standing asking price. It's believed that the Gunners are not willing to be dragged into a bidding war and are unlikely to match their London rival's offer
Chelsea have released a statement on the matter, confirming that the club are in discussions with the Ukrainian side for the transfer of Mudryk. With the transfer of the exciting winger reportedly near completion, Todd Boehly has Potter to thanks for his way with words - and it's no surprise either.
The Blues boss is renowned for his 'emotional intelligence' and ability to manage the psychology of players. Speaking to talkSPORT on the mental aspect of Potter's management, Steve Sidwell said: "It’s more on a confidence level, a trust.
"He listens to his players, and the players trust the process as well. His emotional intelligence is by far the best I’ve ever seen in terms of his reaction and interaction with players.
"His tactical awareness in the game and the way his teams set up is phenomenal as well. I think all round, a coach, and as a person, he fits the bill.
"The emotional intelligence that he has In terms of coaching-wise, but also that little arm around the shoulder, that little walk from the training ground out to the pitches, the golden nuggets, the little sprinkles that he just drops. He just picks players up.
"I spoke to Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck the other day after the Leicester game, they just raved about him. They said their workload, trusting the process, the days off, it just picks players up. It makes the players trust the manager. And when you’re confident as a player, you feel like you can go out and do anything."
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