The storm clouds over Stamford Bridge are beginning to clear and there is a positive mood in Cobham.
The demand for Chelsea tickets will once again be high after Graham Potter not only racked up consecutive wins, but also consecutive 3-0 wins, playing in serious style.
To make things even more impressive, he did so with 7 of 10 outfield players changed between Wednesday’s win over AC Milan and Saturday’s demolition of Wolves.
Balancing various competitions and a schedule with an unprecedented game gridlock will be a huge challenge for Potter, and he hasn’t had to sail too often in his career so far, but it seems we’re already learning that he’s happy to do so. he trusts the players in his squad and shakes things up.
Key to all of this will be a system that is easy for new players to implement and learn. They are expected to participate and play without several games in a row to catch up, so it is vital that their roles are clearly defined.
Like all coaches, Potter will have his favorites, but he’s been true to his word of giving everyone a clean slate, and the opportunity to curry favor with the new coach is working incredibly well as a motivational tool.
Players like Christian Pulisic are coming back from the cold hungry, and young players like Carney Chukwuemeka and Armando Broja are likely to see the new regime as a great opportunity to advance their case.
As it is, everyone is pulling in the right direction and the belief that Potter has the authority to control an often unruly locker room is growing, despite his lack of medals to bring to the table.
In the end, all the players, from Thiago Silva to teenage debutant Chukwuemeka, just want to win games and trophies, and would support anyone like their coach as long as the results are good; that’s why these first few weeks of the Potter spell are so vital. him as he seeks to convince fans and players that he is a top manager who will move the club forward, not just a yes-man for new ownership.
The real test of that will come when things go wrong, of course, and there is no season without low moments. But so far the balloon is rising, and it’s hard not to be buoyed by the positive energies flowing through the team.
