‘Approach later today’: Chelsea to step up their charge to get ‘outstanding’ manager to replace Tuchel – journalist

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Sky journalist Rob Dawsett has claimed that Chelsea are to approach Brighton today to ask for permission to speak to Graham Potter about becoming the club’s next manager.

Todd Boehly has made the cut-throat decision to sack the German following the club’s 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League last night.

This is despite recently handing Tuchel a world record transfer window, highlighted by the signings of Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Reports have since claimed that the decision was made in advance of last night’s game, however the timing combined with the embarrassing nature of the defeat in Croatia could be closely linked.

Now the new owners face the difficult task of finding a suitable replacement for the Champions League winner, with the club seemingly focusing their efforts on Brighton’s Potter.

Chelsea to approach Potter

The 47-year-old, who has been described as ‘outstanding’ by rival promising manager Eddie Howe, has had a sensational start to the season with the Seagulls, taking them to fourth in the table.

He can also boast the league’s best defensive record at this current stage, conceding just five goals in the opening six games.

This will no doubt catch the eye of some Chelsea fans, who are hopeful their club can return to the solidarity shown in the early stages of Tuchel’s reign.

Dawsett has claimed that the Blues are set to step up their chase of Potter today, as they look to sort the managerial situation as soon as possible.

He said: “Chelsea expected to approach Brighton later today for permission to speak to Graham Potter about their manager vacancy after sacking Tuchel. Chelsea also want to speak to Pochettino and Zidane who are out of work.”

While Zidane and Pochettino bring European pedigree with them, the club should purse the Potter route as far as they can, with him proving on multiple occasions to be a sensational manager on an incredibly low budget, while frequently losing his best players.