Paul Merson has done a U-turn on his Chelsea Premier League top four claim but believes Graham Potter is 'capable' of delivering success for Todd Boehly.
The Queen's death may have dominated the headlines this weekend, but the Blues' activities before this national tragedy were the main talking point in the sporting world. Boehly decided to wield the axe on Thomas Tuchel after the latest Dinamo Zagreb setback. However, football.london understands that results were not, in fact, the leading factor for this big decision. In fact, relationships off the pitch between the German and new owners deteriorated off the pitch from early as the US pre-season tour to the point of no return.
READ MORE: Todd Boehly aims to copy Shiekh Mansour and Man City with Graham Potter Chelsea ploy
Boehly then moved quickly to pay the required £20million plus compensation for Brighton's Potter and his five coaching compatriots. It's a big risk that could backfire if this proves to be a step too far for the Englishmen, but the former Arsenal midfielder believes the opposite with his 'capable' verdict. 'It's been a mad week with plenty of drama in the world of football, with Liverpool and Chelsea coming under the microscope over the past 24 hours,' he wrote in his Sportskeeda column. 'The Blues took everyone by surprise with their decision to sack Thomas Tuchel, as the German tactician was relieved of his duties following Chelsea's 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League group stages.
'Liverpool, on the other hand, were humbled away from home in their first European game of the season as Napoli recorded a statement 4-1 win in Italy. Domestically, both Liverpool and Chelsea have struggled in recent weeks, while Manchester United and Tottenham have looked good.'
'I think it was a really strange decision to sack Tuchel, but Graham Potter is a manager I really like. Working at this level is a different ball game, but Potter has shown in his time with Swansea City and Brighton that he's more than capable of creating teams that can go toe-to-toe with the best in the business. I've said before that Manchester United should have got him ahead of Erik ten Hag, and I stand by that statement, but he's set to take over the reins at Stamford Bridge now, and it'll be interesting to see how it turns out.'
He then went on to U-turn on his original Premier League top four predictions he made at the start of 2022/23. He said: 'It's still early doors, but I think the Premier League top-four this season will be Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in whatever order. Chelsea will obviously have a thing or two to say, but we'll have to wait and see how Potter performs at Stamford Bridge, with the Englishman set to take over the reins from Thomas Tuchel imminently.
'As for Manchester United, I don't think they'll make it because they still have a lot of work to do in terms of their squad. They've won four league games in a row, including victories against Liverpool and Arsenal, but I'm yet to be convinced by them.
'Arsenal are good, and I believe they are in there for the long run, while I'm still backing Liverpool to turn it around in the coming weeks to secure a UEFA Champions League spot.'
Interestingly enough, Merson predicted Fulham and Chelsea to draw 2-2, but that prediction wasn't allowed to be played out this weekend due to the Premier League's decisions to cancel fixtures as a sign of respect for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Rugby League, Cricket, Golf and the Great North Run went on. It was only football that stood still in the end. Potter will have the chance to show his capability against RB Salzburg in midweek with next weekend's Liverpool game in doubt unless an agreement is made to move the fixture to Anfield amid fears of the State funeral and the impact that will have.
READ NEXT:
Chelsea make major demand in preparation for ace's return and Callum Hudson-Odoi excites
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge:
Transfers, nurturing youth, formations and his weakness - What Graham Potter brings to Chelsea
Chelsea's next expected fixtures after Premier League and UEFA Champions League decisions
Five Chelsea legends nominated for greatest Premier League transfer of all time
