Pass on his playing philosophy
Graham Potter has forged his reputation as a manager by creating teams with a clear playing style. Chelsea have the players to implement his passing philosophy but the question is how long it will take for the former Birmingham and Stoke midfielder to transmit his ideas. Tuchel famously made an immediate impact after he took over from Frank Lampard at the start of last year and, although Potter is up against it to match the German’s achievement in winning the Champions League, he will be under no illusions about the expectations of his new employers.
Sort out the defence
Tuchel’s success in his first few months at Stamford Bridge was based on their watertight three-man defence but the departures of Antonio Rüdiger and – to a lesser extent – Andreas Christensen created a massive problem. The signings of Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana for a combined £103m should resolve this once both have properly found their feet but, for now, it is likely that the new manager will have to lean heavily on the 37-year-old Thiago Silva. Keeping both costly left-backs, Ben Chilwell (£45m) and the former Brighton defender Marc Cucurella (£55m), happy will also be a challenge, although you can bet Potter has a plan.
Pick the right formation
Brighton’s players have been adept at morphing between systems under Potter and he will have noted the confusion created by some of Tuchel’s tactics against Dinamo Zagreb in what turned out to be the German’s last match. Expect Chelsea to adopt a more rigid approach in the opening weeks – perhaps sticking with the 3-4-3 that was Tuchel’s go-to formation – as Potter works his magic in training, although the 47-year-old will know that he must create a side who are exciting to watch as well. Getting the best out of his wing-backs, especially the dangerous Reece James on the right flank after he signed a new five-year contract on Tuesday, will be key to making them tick again.
Resolve the central midfield issues
Often without the services of N’Golo Kanté because of persistent injuries over the past year, Chelsea struggled to impose themselves in matches under Tuchel and it was a surprise this area wasn’t strengthened in the transfer window. Brighton’s progression under Potter has been marked by their increasing ability to dominate possession and dictate play – even against some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs – so finding the right combination from options that include Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher will be crucial. Ensuring that Kanté, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract, is back soon would also be handy.
Help Mount rediscover his best form
Mason Mount was the only Chelsea player to speak to the press after the defeat against Dinamo despite a difficult evening as he struggled in a variety of positions. “We are a team that bounces back, we are strong, and we use this as a moment in time where we get together and look at how we get out of this form,” the England midfielder said. The 23-year-old scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists for Chelsea in the Premier League last season but has yet to get off the mark in either category in this campaign. Finding the best role for the academy product, who has established himself as the heartbeat of the club with his brilliant performances over the past few years, will be high on Potter’s list of tasks.
Decide who will be Chelsea’s leading man
The signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on transfer deadline day to replace Romelu Lukaku was Tuchel’s last throw of the dice after a summer in which Chelsea flirted with the possibility of signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Aubameyang is 33 and not quite the player he was at Borussia Dortmund under Tuchel, so Potter must decide whether to build his attack around the Gabon striker or take a different approach. Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling offer alternatives through the middle and would provide a similar work rate to that given by the outstanding Danny Welbeck at Brighton this season. Armando Broja – who signed a new lucrative six-year deal after excelling on loan at Southampton last season – could also come more into the mix.
