Football News: Graham Potter's appointment shows the direction in which Chelsea is heading

He has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea after being released from his contract with Brighton for a reported £16 million.

Potter, 47, is known for his offensive style that led Brighton to the Premier League's ninth spot last year. He has previously been the head coach at Swansea City and Swedish club Ostersund, where he led them to unexpected participation in the Europa League group stage.

Although a risky move to appoint Potter, who has no UCL experience, the former Brighton coach has more than held his own in the top flight. 

After starting his career as a journeyman with West Brom, Potter led Swedish minnows Ostersunds to the Europa League. He subsequently surpassed everyone's expectations at Swansea and, especially, Brighton.

But this is a swift move by Chelsea's management, given they have just fired a coach with Champions League experience and replaced him with one who does not. 

On the other hand, Todd Boehly draws comparisons between Potter and Andrew Friedman, the executive for his LA Dodgers.

Here are the reasons Chelsea selected Graham Potter as their new manager

The Solihull native Potter has been linked to the vacant Newcastle manager's position after Steve Bruce stepped down in October 2021. Though his name was floated as a possible replacement for Rafa Benitez at Everton, the club finally hired Frank Lampard.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal and the subsequent search for a permanent replacement for Ralf Rangnick last season prompted calls for Manchester United to consider Potter.

Chelsea decided to replace Thomas Tuchel with Potter because he led Brighton to tenth place last season and the top four after six games this season.

Players from Potter's old team have flourished under his tutelage. Under the 47-year-old's guidance, much of Brighton's roster has matured into skilled multi-taskers capable of playing various roles and quickly adjusting to new tactical schemes.

Potter was the first to utilise Marc Cucurella, a new signing for Chelsea this past month, as the left centre-back in a 3-man defence, expanding the Spanish international's defensive repertoire beyond that of a left back or left wing-back.

Unpredictability in strategy is another tenet of Potter's thought. His preferred formation is a 3-4-5. The fullbacks and centre-backs spread out, and the wing-backs press high.

Although he is not meek, Potter would instead work with others than confront them. The failure of several of Tuchel's players to improve was a major factor in Chelsea's decision to cut ways with him.

In addition to demonstrating his competence in this regard, Potter has shown that he relishes providing his team members with different responsibilities that increase the tactical depth of the group.

Graham Potter has been given the reins at Chelsea to implement a long-term cultural reset. The club's upper management has stated that they will stick by their new manager regardless of whether or not they make the Champions League this season.

After exhausting their options with Tuchel, Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali swiftly moved to acquire Potter.

Moreover, Potter extensively relies on stats, a huge part of US sports, with Boehly in the same boat as the LA Dodgers co-owner.

Moreover, they have complete faith in Potter's communication skills and ability to gain the respect of even the most renowned and egotistical players.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion manager, Potter, is Chelsea's 30th manager overall and the first hired by new American owner Todd Boehly, who fired Thomas Tuchel after 100 games.