Potter’s return to the Amex did not go as planned as his chances to make history as the first English manager to be undefeated in his first 10 matches in charge of a club were not meant to happen.
Chelsea had gone nine matches undefeated (four in the Champions League and four in the Premier League) under Graham Potter. The blues had conceded only four goals in those nine matches.
The blues endured a terrible first half against Brighton. Chelsea were down by three goals in the first half. A goal from Leandro Trossard and own goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevoh Chalobah gave the host the three goals lead.
Graham Potter’s side pulled one back through Kai Havertz in the second half but it was not enough as the Seagulls added their fourth of the afternoon through Pascal Groß.
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Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has accused Graham Potter of causing Chelsea’s defeat to Brighton with his constant tinkering, changing, and overthinking with his selection and formation.
What did Martin Keown say about Chelsea’s defeat to Brighton?
The former Premier League defender said on BBC: “Chelsea looked unrecognizable at the back. I think there were too many changes.
“It counts against you in this situation because you are trying to formulate a partnership and it’s always changing at the back. It was a different back three today.
“They are wing-backs that aren’t wing-backs. They played Raheem Sterling in a wing-back position today and I don’t think it suited in the way they played.
“Maybe Graham Potter was trying to be too clever. Keep it the same and football is a simple game.”
When asked if he (Graham Potter) will continue to change his team and tactics, Graham Potter said: “It’s not about change. You need to find a way to win and perform. We’ve had a lot of games in October and an incredible schedule.
“So for different reasons, we’ve lost key players in terms of Reece [James], [Kalidou] Koulibaly, [Wesley] Fofana, and [N’Golo] Kante. So there is a constant challenge in how to set up.
“We tried today, and again, it can be tactical, or it can be the intensity, and the opponent does what they do better. I have to analyze the game and look at how I can improve.”
Meanwhile, former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has slammed Raheem Sterling following his poor showing in Chelsea’s defeat to Brighton.
Pat Nevin said: “I’m watching Raheem Sterling right now and I’ve said that Graham Potter has got the best from every player since he has been there, with one exception.
“Raheem Sterling. If he keeps playing the way he is right now, he’s not even a consideration for the World Cup.
“He is having a really really bad time and today he is having an absolutely terrible game.”
Chelsea’s next match is against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League before facing in-form Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
