Thomas Tuchel has been sacked in a move which surprised many. Potentially more so because football.london understands the decision was taken even before the Blues lost to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League last night.
Chelsea found themselves sixth in the Premier League table and five points off pacesetters Arsenal after six matches. Todd Boehly clearly decided the German coach had to be replaced, despite winning a Champions League title and taking the Blues to back-to-back top-four finishes.
With sights set far higher, it seems Thomas Tuchel had to go but how will this impact the Blues’ two main London rivals? football.london takes a look at the potential knock-on effect on them.
READ MORE: Next Chelsea manager LIVE: Thomas Tuchel sacked, Graham Potter contacted, Pochettino linked
The next best Premier League coach off the market
football.london understands that Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter are the two frontrunners but that the latter is leading the race at present. Chelsea have been granted permission to speak with the Brighton boss and that the approximate £10 million cost to relinquish him from his contract on the south coast has not put them off.
Potter looked to be the next exciting Premier League coach to develop after the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Brendan Rodgers before him, who earned their stripes at Southampton and Swansea City respectively, before making switches to Tottenham and Liverpool.
Were Arsenal or Spurs to ever move on from their current coaches, although both look far from a reality at present, Potter’s Chelsea switch would see his big break occur in west London. How he delivers in blue might not rule out a future Spurs switch though, having seen Andre Villas-Boas, Jose Mourinho and current coach Antonio Conte all follow that pathway.
New manager bounce
With the swift appointment, both Arsenal and Spurs will need to be wary of a potential bounce. Chelsea have looked disjointed and lacking a cutting edge in their opening games of the new season.
Potter’s Brighton side play an intense tactical style that has already seen them claim points away at Manchester United this season. If he is able to successfully translate that into this immensely talented squad, Stamford Bridge might witness some of its best football yet.
Arsenal face Chelsea away from home on November 5, whereas Spurs have already taken points away from Stamford Bridge after the controversial ending to their 2-2 draw earlier this season. The Gunners therefore will see the new head coach, be it Potter or another, have had plenty of time to integrate before their clash.
Brighton bogey side narrative over?
More so for Arsenal this than Tottenham but the Seagulls under Graham Potter have had an excellent record against Arsenal. They took four points off the Gunners last season and despite a poor 2020, managed to win their sole home match of the year against Mikel Arteta’s side.
This being the game now infamous for the Matteo Guendouzi and Neal Maupay incident. Spawned from Maupay’s earlier clash with Bernd Leno, injuring him for the remainder of the season.
Potter, Maupay, Guendouzi and Leno will potentially all not be present the next time Arsenal meet the Seagulls. Something for which Arteta and his side will be appreciative of.
READ NEXT:
Why Bukayo Saka isn't registered for Arsenal clash with FC Zurich ahead of Europa League opener
Edu's risky Arsenal summer transfer call is already proving to hand Mikel Arteta key £30m gift
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
Albert Sambi Lokonga makes Mikel Arteta fume as Arsenal face biggest test of progress
Arsenal transfer business under the microscope in 'good deal' or 'bad deal'
