New Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has revealed his plans for the players after taking 'fantastic opportunity' at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues announced on last Wednesday that the club would be parting company with Thomas Tuchel. After a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League the decision was made and a quick-fire replacement was brought in.
On Thursday afternoon, it was confirmed that Brighton head coach Potter would take over the reigns at Stamford Bridge.
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The 47-year-old agreed a five-year contract with the club and arrives just six games into the Premier League season. Currently the west London side sit in sixth place, but have suffered embarrassing defeats to both Leeds United and Southampton.
There is a lot of work to be done, and the owners feel as though in the long-term Potter is the best option to guide the team forward.
The Englishman took charge of his first training session with the squad on Friday and introduced himself to the players and staff beforehand.
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On Saturday, in the early kick-off, he was supposed to be in control of his first match, but the game against Fulham was postponed by the Premier League as a mark of respect to Queen Elizabeth II.
This means Potter's first game will come in the Champions League against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday night instead.
Chelsea vs Liverpool latest: Premier League clash postponed ahead of Queen's funeral
He will have to wait a while for his first league fixture after Chelsea's fixture against Liverpool on Sunday was postponed as well.
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Following this week, there is an international break as well, so the Englishman will not manage a league game until October when they face Crystal Palace at the beginning of the month.
While it may be frustrating, it gives more opportunity for the Blues to prepare and learn Potter's plans for the season.
Looking forward to what lies ahead at him at Chelsea, Potter spoke to the in-house media about the chance he has been handed.
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He said: "It is nice to able to take the next step and to be able to work with an exciting group of players that we have here and compete at the top, try and create a winning team and that's a fantastic opportunity for me.
"Surreal, hectic, a whirlwind, exciting. amazing, a little bit bit of sadness because you're leaving some good people but very, very happy and excited to meet some new people... a whole range of emotions.
"Overall, really, really happy and very proud."
Topics: Chelsea, Graham Potter, Premier League, Football
Sam Collins