Graham Potter has been told his Chelsea targets for the 2022/23 season by the club’s new owners after being appointed on a five-year deal.
The 47-year-old has been chosen to lead Chelsea forward into the new era under the ownership led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
He was appointed on Thursday afternoon to succeed Thomas Tuchel as the new owners looked to the long-term and believed a change was necessary in order to have the best chance of reaching their goals.
Potter has brought five backroom members of staff with him from Brighton, which saw Chelsea pay in excess of £20 million to the Seagulls for their services.
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He is already looking forward to the challenge, admitting: "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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As Potter, Boehly, Eghbali and Co embark on a new partnership together, Chelsea still want to succeed. The new owners have set Potter his targets for the season.
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As reported by Adam Newson, they are to finish inside the top four of the Premier League to ensure 2023/24 Champions League is played at Stamford Bridge.
However, if Chelsea are unable to qualify for the Champions League next season, it won’t result in Potter losing his job.
They are prepared to ‘stick through difficult moments’ but only if they can see and believe their long-term plan under Potter will work.
It is also claimed Potter will need some time to ingrain his methods on the squad which he met for the first time on Friday at their Cobham training base before taking his first session.
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Following the late signings in the window, the new owners believe Chelsea will become a ‘stronger force’ during the second half of the campaign.
Potter and his team were pictured for the first time at Cobham since their appointments, with the club yet to release any pictures following his arrival at the club.
He is set to take charge of his first game next Wednesday in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge against FC Salzburg.
Matthew Debono