The very things Graham Potter got wrong as Chelsea lost 4-1 to Brighton, and his former supporters joked that he was already facing the sack.
Graham Potter was roundly booed by his former supporters on Saturday as Chelsea lost 4-1 to Brighton. He also made a number of poor tactical choices.
The Blues, who had not lost since Potter took over for Thomas Tuchel last month, appeared out of sorts as they conceded two own goals through Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevoh Chalobah after Leandro Trossard’s opening strike.
As Chelsea is currently fifth in the Premier League table, let’s look at some of the mistakes Potter might consider to have made.
Marc Cucurella
Marc Cucurella‘s return to Brighton as a Chelsea player was disastrous, as evidenced by his first-half performance.
Potter may have regretted giving the Spaniard a chance at Stamford Bridge.
The home crowd booed the defender because they didn’t appreciate the way he left the club – and he suffered at the hands of Solly March in the first half.
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Potter, who was also booed by the crowd, may have put the new signing in a difficult situation.
Individual errors
After a promising start to life at Chelsea, the number of individual blunders raises concerns about the club’s management as the Blues fell behind 3-0.
After Thiago Silva gave the ball away for the first goal, Loftus-Cheek and Chalobah both scored own-goals to put the visitors on the back foot.
Although Brighton’s intensity played a significant role, the manager is concerned by the way Chelsea’s quality seemed to lose all confidence.
Outfought and outthought
Brighton not only worked their way past the Chelsea defense, but their tireless work on and off the ball made Potter’s men seem foolish.
Despite not having won a game under their new manager prior to the Premier League meeting, Brighton appeared reinvigorated and full of passion.
The boos for Potter and Cucurella may have given the hosts even more motive to take all three points, which may be a turning point for the season.
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Toothless
Chelsea failed to convert many good chances both before and after Kai Havertz nodded home at the opening of the season-half, in addition to looking shaky at the defense.
Raheem Sterling looked off the pace as Brighton cruised, with Conor Gallagher and Christian Pulisic among those who missed gilt-edged chances.
Man management
Although Sterling appeared vibrant when he arrived at Chelsea from City under Thomas Tuchel, Potter seemed perplexed as to how to get the most out of him.
On the eve of the World Cup, the forward’s form will be a source of concern for both club and country, with Potter unable to help him succeed.
Sterling has been a key player for Gareth Southgate‘s Three Lions in the previous two big championships, but he has to regain form quickly to ensure a starting spot.
