On social media, there has been a lot of comparing between both Graham Potter and a Thomas Tuchel which has led to arguments with no real end point or even a point to start with and one senses the comparing will only end when Potter ticks certain boxes as fans are still hurting from the departure of Thomas.
Graham Potter may have won the heart of Todd Boehly and his clan of business gurus but there’s a far more gaping hole left in the heart of the majority of the Chelsea fans by the departure of Thomas Tuchel, a hole that can only be filled with trophies, huge derby wins, reassuring press conferences and a personality befitting the club’s pedigree at all times.
Tuchel’s reign at Chelsea ended prematurely, a sacking that has divided the fan base emotionally and left a sour buzz on everyone’s tongue. One can argue that a section of Chelsea fans are struggling to get in behind Graham Potter, but everyone in and around the club must learn to cushion the effects of losing a manager and a club owner so close to their hearts with optimism, hope and faith in the new administration.
While it is important to remain rational and not emotional with the decision to sack Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter must earn the love, trust and the faith of every single Chelsea fan like Thomas Tuchel did. Sadly, there are no short cuts, Tuchel was more than just a manager, he was arguably the best ambassador the club has had since Jose Mourinho left in his first spell. While there are debatable factors as to why Tuchel was sacked, there’s a ruthlessness to the way the fans assess results now, Tuchel’s ambitious nature has rubbed off on everyone at the club like Jose did.
While Chelsea were on the face of it not on the verge of catching up with the two powerhouses in Manchester City and Liverpool, fans who understood Tuchel would’ve known a character with a burning desire to make things right, a character who blamed himself more times after games than his actual players, it’s too simplistic to say the football was boring and Chelsea were never going to progress in the league.
A new administration was always going to mark the end and the beginning of some staff at the club. While there are mitigating factors as to why the club’s sacking of Tuchel was a controversial move, from the long term injuries to the transfer ban, to temporarily freezing the club’s account and finances by the British government and the messy contract situations rumbling on and then off behind the scenes to the stubborn nature in tactics and the reporter unwillingness to co-operate with recruitment.
Brick by brick Potter must earn the sort of love Tuchel got from a fan base who made him a beautiful banner as a mark of trust and devotion to his Chelsea reign.
A banner that was obviously knitted by love and weaved into a thousand blue hearts. Potter and his staff must learn to amble through the sentiments, doubts and confusion that might come on days like that at Brighton, the job at Chelsea is a daunting one, an enormous demand in results compared to his familiar surroundings.
In as much as nothing comes easy at Chelsea, not even a champions league triumph was big enough to keep Tommy afloat. The new owners want to go in a direction of sustainable growth and youth. The investment in youth has been notable. Those who are craving to see youngsters must understand the task ahead of Potter, he has to find a balance between results and pleasing the youngsters and the fans.
A balance many have failed to find. As a Chelsea manager, he has to be greedy with getting results too. Potter isn’t going to catch City and Liverpool overnight, the chance and faith to try should be accorded to him fairly. His days are always numbered at Chelsea because the dream could become a nightmare by morning and nothing is more gloomy than going from grace to the mud.
