Graham Potter faces one of his toughest challenges to date as Chelsea boss, not just in terms of the tricky opposition, but the emotional battle he has to endure going back to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton on Saturday.
The 47-year-old took charge of the Seagulls for over three years, enduring a successful spell before moving to London to steer Chelsea back to its glory days.
Now, the Blues boss has got off to a fantastic start where he remains unbeaten after nine matches across all competitions – booking a spot in the next round of the Champions League for Chelsea.
READ MORE: Preview: Brighton vs Chelsea - Graham Potter faces former side as 10 game unbeaten streak eyed
Much of Potter’s resurgence with the Blues has come down to how brave the Englishman can be at times, both in his approach to matches as well as the personnel chosen.
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This weekend, he may make another bold call – or be forced into it, considering the difference Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja are making off the bench as substitutes.
Pulisic started in the midweek Champions League tie and made a positive impact from the start, suggesting he should keep his place in the line-up this weekend. Starting against RB Salzburg on Tuesday was after a run of impressive cameos. Now, the American should see his name called on the line-up once again.
READ MORE: Preview: Brighton vs Chelsea - Graham Potter faces former side as 10 game unbeaten streak eyed
Pulisic is one player who has taken full advantage of the entire squad getting a clean slate since Potter’s arrival. He’s just 24 years of age and has plenty of room to grow into a stable Chelsea role. What helps is his versatility to occupy either flank, play in the number 10 role, as well as filling in the wing-back role.
Broja has also been a bit-part player of late, after it was expected that he would see plenty of game time under Potter’s guidance. There has been plenty of rotation in the Chelsea team, but the Albanian’s minutes have been limited.
Despite very little time spent on the pitch, Broja has made an excellent impact, winning Chelsea some key decisions and playing a crucial part in some late goals for the Blues.
Broja also allows Potter to utilise different formations – playing in a front two with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or allowing the Gabonese to play on the left flank to cut inside and bring out the best of Chelsea’s number nine.
The Blues have plenty of matches to compete in before the World Cup and there is still a risk of picking up more injuries, which Chelsea have already experienced greatly this season.
Chelsea have their final Champions League tie against Dinamo Zagreb next week, which will be followed by a London derby against league leaders, Arsenal, so playing Pulisic and Broja from the start seems very sensible this Saturday against Brighton.
READ MORE: Graham Potter relishing special Brighton return with Chelsea but accepts chance of mixed reception
READ MORE: Predicted Chelsea XI to face Brighton: Broja & Pulisic pushing for starts as Mount set for return
Topics: Chelsea, Premier League, Football, Armando Broja, Graham Potter, Christian Pulisic, Brighton And Hove Albion
Chadley Nagel