Former Liverpool and Blackburn midfielder Danny Murphy has revealed that Graham Potter’s biggest challenge at Chelsea will be to deal with the egos of Chelsea stars and players.
Chelsea confirmed the appointment of Graham Potter this week and the sacking of Thomas Tuchel. He signed a five-year contract with Chelsea.
Graham Potter has been hailed as the best English manager and had been tipped to take over the England National Team from Gareth Southgate.
Many pundits have lauded his style of play and how he can get the best out of his players. Potter enjoyed a successful three years at Brighton.
Danny Murphy believes despite the ego challenge, he can be the first English manager to win a major trophy since Harry Redknapp won the FA Cup in 2008 with Portsmouth.
What did Danny Murphy say?
Danny Murphy told Daily Mail, explaining: “My first reaction to Thomas Tuchel’s sacking at Chelsea was that it was too hasty—he’s an intelligent football manager who conducted himself well and won the Champions League.
“But on reflection, if new owner Todd Boehly has a different vision on how he wants the club to be run, best get the change done quickly.
“Based on Boehly’s time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, stability will be important to him. He’s had the same manager in America for seven years and long-term contracts already given to the likes of Reece James indicate a long-term plan.
“So Graham Potter knows he has a proper chance and I’m delighted the job has gone to an English manager—one with broad horizons, having also worked abroad.
“No English manager has won a major trophy since Harry Redknapp with Portsmouth in 2008, far too long, but Potter has the coaching ability and squad of players to end that run and bring silverware to Stamford Bridge.
“Funnily enough, I think transferring the tactical knowledge he showed us at Brighton will be relatively easy, and he has the humility and calmness that will bring some stability to Chelsea.
“The difficult part will be dealing with the egos of those star players who knock on his door and demand why they’re not in the team.
“It’ll be his biggest challenge and something he will have to learn quickly. I know from playing in Liverpool compared to clubs like Charlton and Fulham, the status of the players can be so different. The manager needs to communicate and have those strong conversations.
“Most of the Chelsea lads are internationals with plenty of trophies on their CVs. It’ll be more demanding explaining the situation to them than it would have been with an unhappy player at Ostersunds, Swansea, or Brighton.
“On the training pitch, Potter will be fine — his Brighton team played good football, but his teams also showed a variety in their play dependent on the opposition.”
Graham Potter’s first game as Chelsea manager will be against RB Salzburg in the Champions at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
