AnnT: Is it true that Thomas Tuchel begged for his job at Chelsea and had he lost the dressing room and most players were relieved to see him go?
Adam says: "I don't believe Tuchel 'begged' to keep his job. The decision to sack him was a huge surprise and it was one that, fairly obviously, he did not believe was correct. From what I've been able to gather – and keep in mind there are always two sides to this story – Tuchel explained why he felt he deserved more time as he could get more from the new additions.
"But Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali had decided the working relationship wasn't what they wanted and made the call. What's worth keeping in mind is that this wasn't a decision based on Tuchel's pure coaching skills, they were beyond doubt in the minds of those in charge.
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"Losing the dressing room is something of a catch-all term and I don't think fairly represents the situation in this case. What is clear, though, is Tuchel's bond with the majority of those in his squad had deteriorated throughout 2022. He had become more distant with players, less open with them.
"For example, at the start of his tenure, he would often explain why certain selection decisions had been taken and told players what they had to do in order to win their place back. That had stopped and left some feeling confused as to what they were doing wrong – if anything – to be overlooked."
Ayechan: Could Graham Potter go the way of Thomas Tuchel – be sacked – if he does not qualify for even the Europa Conference League with no other trophies at the end of the season?
Adam says: "Apologies if I've not quite got the gist of the question, but if you're asking whether Potter will be sacked if Chelsea do not win a trophy this season, then I don't think that is going to be the case as he is an appointment the board believes in to fulfil their longer-term aims.
"And having made the decision to sack Thomas Tuchel with that in mind, it would be a bad look to ditch Potter at the first sign of trouble. There is an expectation that this process will need some time and many behind the scenes expect a stronger second half of the campaign. But for Potter to be at risk of being sacked, something would have to have gone very wrong."
Danyal: What is the likeliness that multiple sporting directors are hired in this new structure that Todd Boehly wants to implement at Chelsea? It seems clear that the likes of Luis Campos, Christoph Freund, Paul Mitchell and Michael Edwards are all admired.
Adam says: "I don't envisage there being more than one sporting director at Chelsea, but I'd not rule out more than one recruitment specialist being brought into a wider structure. Campos has a different approach to Edwards, for example.
"It's clear Boehly and the new ownership group want to hire from the top echelon in the European game, those sporting directors who have a proven track record of building and developing squads. That Graham Potter is going to have input into the process will be important as he is going to have to work closely with any hire."
Carefree: Do you think Romelu Lukaku has a chance of returning to the squad now under a new head coach?
Adam says: "My gut instinct is Lukaku remains at Inter Milan beyond his one-year loan – and there are those within Chelsea that believe a gentlemen's agreement is already in place with the Italian club for the Belgian striker to remain for another season.
"I've not had that confirmed and Tuchel's departure certainly unlocks a door that only a fortnight ago seemed firmly shut. In the months ahead, it will be on Boehly and the new ownership group at Chelsea to decide if they want to push it open.
"A potential stumbling block, however, is Lukaku's relationship with Chelsea supporters. There were very few who wanted him to remain at Stamford Bridge and even fewer – if any – that shed a tear when his return to Inter was confirmed.
"Given what Graham Potter will try to build during the season ahead, I'm not sure bringing a divisive player back into the fold would do anyone any favours, including Lukaku, who has always performed at his best when he feels valued by those in the dugout and on the terraces."
umair813: Are we still interested in Rice?
"Chelsea's interest in Rice is long-standing. It certainly predated Tuchel, although the German was known to be an admirer of the West Ham midfielder.
"Does that mean a move takes place next summer? I'd certainly not rule it out as I understand the new owners have already begun to draw up a list of potential midfield targets for the summer of 2023, something needed given the contract situations of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho.
"Rice seems to divide the Chelsea fanbase like few others; I'm not entirely sure why in truth. He has proved himself one of the most consistent Premier League performers in recent years and has shown himself to be a leader at West Ham. Yes, he wouldn't come cheap but then Boehly and co. haven't been scared to spend money on players they believe will benefit the team for years to come."
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