Chelsea transfer news

GRAHAM POTTER will pocket more than £50m for joining Chelsea’s American revolution.Chelsea officially welcomed their new manager on a whopping five-year contract last night and he will take training today.
Graham Potter will earn over £10m-a-year as Chelsea managerCredit: Getty
Thomas Tuchel was pocketing around £8m annually at the BluesCredit: Getty
Potter, 47, will earn just over £10m a year – far more than sacked predecessor Thomas Tuchel who was paid around £8m a year.
Chelsea’s new manager said: “I am incredibly proud and excited to represent this fantastic football club.
“I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.”
Potter will take with him from Brighton his assistant Billy Reid, first-team coaches Bjorn Hamberg and Bruno, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay.
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Potter left Brighton after three seasons to become the first managerial appointment under Chelsea’s new US-led owners.
Senior Stamford Bridge insiders told SunSport that the new coach’s leadership skills and his ability as a ‘risk-taker’ were what swung it for them.
The source added that chairman Todd Boehly and his fellow directors also admired Potter for taking the plunge and leaving England to manage Swedish minnows Ostersund where he led them to three promotions.
Another said how Birmingham-born Potter can do ‘more with less’ even though Chelsea have just splashed more than £250 million in the transfer window.
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The Brummie brainbox’s Masters in Leadership and Emotional Intelligence heavily appealed too because it shows he can operate outside football circles.
Chairman Todd Boehly held talks with Potter just hours after axing Tuchel and agreed one of the longest managerial contracts in Chelsea history.
Boehly said: “We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea. He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the Club.
“Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch which will make Chelsea a more successful Club. He has had a major impact at his previous Clubs and we look forward to his positive impact at Chelsea.
“We look forward to supporting him, his coaching team and the squad in realising their full potential in the coming months and years.”

The appointment of Potter will now see ramp up the search for a sporting director to improve scouting and transfers.
The new head coach will play a part in the selection process and it is hoped an appointment will be made before the World Cup starts in November.
Boehly and fellow owner Behdad Eghbali addressed the players before training on Wednesday at 2pm where the squad were told ‘we have got your backs’ and were promised support.
A separate meeting with club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and other senior squad members took place later.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly paid over £20m to Brighton for his new bossCredit: Getty
Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, co-controlling owners, said: ‘Graham is a football innovator and winner on the pitch and a leader off the pitch.
“He has deeply impressed us with his ideas and approach to football. We are thrilled to partner with Graham to build a winning team, one that embodies the culture of collaboration, innovation, teamwork, player development, and a commitment to excellence on and off the pitch.
“We are fortunate to have Graham and his team as our partners in that journey.”
Chelsea paid Brighton more than £20 million in compensation to prise Potter away from the Amex Stadium.
Seagulls’ Under-21 coach Andrew Crofts will take on the role of Albion’s interim head coach, supported by his assistant Shannon Ruth, set-play coach Nick Stanley, Adam Lallana and assistant goalkeeping coach Jack Stern.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said: “I am very disappointed  Graham will be leaving us. He is an exceptional head coach and an exceptional person. He will be hugely missed.
“He leaves an excellent legacy for his successor with the club in its highest ever position, and on the back of leading us to our highest finish in the club’s history last season.”
Deputy chairman Paul Barber added: “Tony, David and I have already begun work to replace Graham and to secure the very best candidate for the club.” More

FORMER Chelsea ace William Gallas has criticised new owner Todd Boehly for his “rushed” transfer splurge this summer and the “desperate” signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.The Blues splashed a Premier League record £271.1million as they signed the likes of Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana, Denis Zakaria and of course Aubameyang.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on transfer deadline dayCredit: Getty
William Gallas criticised Chelsea owner Todd Boehly after the summer transfer windowCredit: Getty
The ex-Arsenal star arrived in dramatic fashion on transfer deadline day after former manager Thomas Tuchel requested a reunion with his ex-Borussia Dortmund frontman.
But their reunion barely lasted a week and the striker only played for 59 minutes under Tuchel, who was sacked on Wednesday after a poor start to the season and has been replaced by Graham Potter.
Gallas insists Boehy failed to approach the transfer window in the correct manner and is convinced he should have done better.
The former France international also suggested Aubameyang arrived from Barcelona only because he became available rather than being an actual top target.
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Gallas told Genting Casino: “I feel like Chelsea’s transfer window, despite the amount of the money spent, was rushed. There were a lot of changes happening at the club this summer with the new owner coming in and taking a hands-on role with recruitment.
“I think that Boehly and Chelsea wanted to make signings as a new owner to demonstrate his commitment to the club, but I don’t think he had quite the right approach for this transfer window.
“They spent a lot of money, but I’m convinced they could have done better. It is difficult to understand football at the moment. Look at Aubameyang.
“He left Arsenal in January, something obviously happened between him and the club, went to Barcelona and now he is coming back to the Premier League after six months.
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“We are talking about Barcelona. You don’t leave Barcelona after six months, do you know what I mean? Maybe Barcelona didn’t give him the assurances that he wanted at his age that he would play every week, they also signed [Robert] Lewandowski.
“Maybe Xavi told him that he won’t be in his starting eleven every week, but this is Barcelona! Even if he is 33 years old, you need to fight at a club like Barcelona to play.
“I know there are some fans that are not very happy with the move, but as I said before, I feel like the Chelsea board rushed the transfer window and were desperate to bring a forward in before the window closed.
“It feels like he was a player that was signed because he became available, rather than necessarily a long-held target.
“I’m sure they couldn’t sign another forward before the window closed, and as a result, Aubameyang was a player they could get, so they got him.” More

GRAHAM POTTER has agreed a five-year deal to replace Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea manager.Chelsea moved quickly to replace the German after making the call to axe their first manager 100 days into the new ownership.
Graham Potter has been confirmed as Chelsea’s new managerCredit: PA
Thomas Tuchel was brutally sacked by the BluesCredit: Alamy
Brighton didn’t hesitate in allowing the Blues to speak to their manager and opening talks were held between Potter and Stamford Bridge chiefs on Wednesday, just hours after Champions League winning manager Tuchel was axed.
After positive discussions with co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, Potter agreed to take the role on Wednesday night.
He said: “I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club.
“I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.
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“I would also like to place my sincere thanks to Brighton & Hove Albion for allowing me this opportunity and in particular Tony Bloom and all the players, staff and supporters for their continued support during my time at the club.”
Boehly added: “We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea.
“He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the Club.
“Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch which will make Chelsea a more successful Club.
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“He has had a major impact at his previous Clubs and we look forward to his positive impact at Chelsea.
“We look forward to supporting him, his coaching team and the squad in realising their full potential in the coming months and years.”
Other managers, including Zinedine Zidane, had been under consideration, but Potter was always viewed as the first choice.
Fine details of the contract with Potter had to be ironed out overnight and into the morning, including a clause which will allow his coaching staff to leave with him should he resign for a different job at any point.
Furthermore, a compensation package of at least £20million with the Seagulls was finalised with further payments to cover the loss of coaches Billy Reid, Bruno, Bjorn Hamberg, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay, all of whom will make the move with Potter.
All of the staff members have been with Potter at both Ostersunds in Sweden and Swansea City, except for Bruno and Roberts, in the Championship before they all moved to The Amex.

As the final details were sorted on Thursday morning, the 47-year-old headed back to Brighton to bid farewell to those staying behind.
Potter spent around two hours collecting his things and saying goodbyes before heading for Chelsea’s Cobham training ground to seal the deal.
The Blues wanted their new man to take training on Friday before taking his place in the dugout on Saturday for the West London derby against Fulham.
Chelsea hope that the ex-Ostersunds manager will be the key to creating a new, more long-term, culture at the club and move away from the hire and fire approach during the Roman Abramovich era.
Despite Potter’s lack of experience at the top table of European football, the Blues view the Englishman as one of the hottest prospects in European coaching.
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Potter has led Brighton to a flying start to the season with four wins from six games, including an opening day victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Since succeeding Chris Hughton at The Amex, the former defender has transformed the squad and style of play on the south coast and will be a hard act to follow.
Todd Boehly confirmed the appointment of Graham PotterCredit: Getty More

GRAHAM POTTER has arrived at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground to sign a deal which will see him become the club’s new manager.The 47-year-old returned to Brighton this morning to bid farewell to players and staff ahead of his huge move to Stamford Bridge.
Potter has arrived at Chelsea’s training groundCredit: SWNS

He is set to become the successor of Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked yesterday following the Blues’ shock 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
Potter was the top managerial target for new Chelsea chief Todd Boehly, who is understood to be very impressed with the impact he’s had at Brighton.
The two had a formal meeting in West London yesterday where the former left-back verbally agreed to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Potter is expected to sign a five-year deal with the Blues.
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He is also determined to bring three members of his Brighton backroom staff to Chelsea when he makes the transition.
Recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay and assistant coaches Billy Reid and Bjorn Hamburg are expected to join him in his new venture.
The trio have been with Potter throughout his career, which has included managerial stints with Ostersund and Swansea.
There is room at Stamford Bridge for the new boss to bring them in, with Tuchel’s assistants Zsolt Low and Arno Michels joining him in leaving the club.
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Analyst Beni Weber has also departed.
Meanwhile Brighton legend Bruno, 41, is reportedly set to be named as interim manager at the Amex. More

A KEY factor in Thomas Tuchel’s sacking at Chelsea was the frustration brewing within the squad and a disconnect between the academy and first team.After the youth revolution under Frank Lampard his successor turned to older stars brought in for huge fees, some of which were pushed to the fringe.
Thomas Tuchel was shockingly sacked by ChelseaCredit: AFP
Graham Potter is set to be announced as Chelsea’s next managerCredit: PA
After a staggering summer outlay of £259.1million, Chelsea owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali will want to see every penny squeezed out of the squad by Graham Potter.
SunSport runs through the stars and academy aces who could thrive or be revived by the English manager…
CHRISTIAN PULISIC
The winger has been hit and miss since his move from Borussia Dortmund in 2019.
Captain America has hit fine form in patches but struggled with injury and lacked consistent game time.
After grumbles about playing time and mulling over a potential loan move, the 23-year-old will hope he can establish himself under the new manager just in time for the World Cup.
Christian Pulisic has been hit and miss since his move from Borussia Dortmund in 2019Credit: AP
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TREVOH CHALOBAH
Chalobah fell slightly out of favour towards the end of last season and has made just one Premier League start so far this term.
Tuchel and Boehly made the decision to fork out a staggering £70million to land Wesley Fofana from Leicester City rather than trust Chalobah at the heart of defence.
Incoming Potter has a fine record of moulding young defenders, having turned Brighton academy graduate Ben White into an England international and £50million centre-half.
He could well do the same with Chalobah.
Trevoh Chalobah fell slightly out of favour towards the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
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CONOR GALLAGHER
Following a stunning season on loan at Crystal Palace, it has been a shaky start to life back at the Bridge.
Tuchel had always been an admirer of Gallagher but the England midfielder struggled on his first Premier League start in a 3-0 defeat at Leeds United and was sent off after just 28 minutes in his next outing against Leicester City.
The 22-year-old, who scooped both of Palace’s Player of the Year gongs last season will hope for a clean start under Potter.
Conor Gallagher has had a shaky start to life back at the BridgeCredit: Rex

HAKIM ZIYECH
The winger with a wand of a left foot had been well and truly pushed to the fringes under Tuchel towards the end of last season and almost returned to Ajax over the summer.
There is no doubting the quality the Moroccan can offer but consistency has been an issue.
Given the prevalence of clever, technical players in Potter’s Brighton side, Ziyech should be encouraged by the change in the dugout.
Hakim Ziyech fell out of favour with Thomas TuchelCredit: Rex
ROMELU LUKAKU
One of Tuchel’s biggest problems last season.
The near £100million man, Chelsea’s record signing, who he simply could not accommodate.
A significant issue for Tuchel over the past year has been creating chances for his centre-forwards.
The German refused to bend his system to help Lukaku thrived and insisted on the Belgian learning to play his way.
Both were stubborn and neither would adapt – which resulted in Lukaku returning to Inter Milan on loan.
Potter’s Brighton have never struggled with creating chances – putting them away has been their problem.
Should Lukaku be given another chance at the Bridge, you would think he will have plenty to feed off.
Romelu Lukaku is spending the season on loan with Inter MilanCredit: Sportphoto24/Giuseppe Maffia More

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG received a phone call from Chelsea chiefs to reassure him following the axing of Thomas Tuchel.The Gabon international was reunited with his former manager earlier this month following his £10million move to Stamford Bridge.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Chelsea this summerCredit: REX
Aubmeyang joined the Blues in order to be reunited with Thomas Tuchel – who was axed this weekCredit: Getty
Chelsea chiefs have spoken to Aubameyang on the phone to give him reassurancesCredit: GETTY
But the reunion lasted a matter of days as the German was given the boot by co-owner Todd Boehly earlier this week.
The axing of Tuchel sparked concerns over Aubameyang’s future at the Bridge, which the Blues reportedly brass spoke to him about on the phone.
According to The Telegraph, club chiefs rang Aubameyang to give him reassurances over his future at the club.
They claim Aubameyang has been reassured by co-owners Boehly and Behdad Eghbali that “his signing was not made purely to satisfy” the axed Tuchel.
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Boehly and Eghbali are said to have also addressed the squad following Tuchel’s departure.
Aubameyang was relishing a prolonged stint under Tuchel, who coached him during his time with German giants Borussia Dortmund.
But he only ended up playing a meagre 59 minutes under his old boss.
Upon his arrival, Aubameyang said: “It will be an honour and a joy again [to play with Tuchel].
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“We had some good times in Dortmund together so I am really happy to play for him again.
“We will achieve some big things, I am sure of this and I will try to help the team.”

Tuchel said of the 33-year-old in his final pre-match press conference earlier this week: “He’s the sort of player [to thrive in adversity], he’s very ambitious, very focused and he’s hungry to play for us and prove a point still.
“That’s why he’s here, that’s what we felt from the first moment and he’s happily invited to prove a point tomorrow.”
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Brighton boss Graham Potter is on the verge of replacing Tuchel at the Stamford Bridge helm.
The 47-year-old has agreed a five-year contract with the west Londoners, who hope to have him in the dugout for Saturday’s derby with Fulham.
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