Rafael Benitez has sent a warning to Graham Potter about taking the job as Chelsea’s new head coach.
Potter, 47, left Brighton to become the next Blues boss earlier in September, kickstarting his reign with a 1-1 draw against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League group stages before stopping for the current international break.
The English coach has been handed the opportunity at Stamford Bridge to manage one of Europe’s elite sides following Thomas Tuchel’s sacking.
He’s now got a two-week break during the internationals to get his house in order before a crazy October that includes nine fixtures.
Benitez warning to Potter
Former Chelsea manager Benitez has shared that he’s an admirer of Potter, but warns it’s a completely different environment to him from what he’ll be used to at Brighton.
“Now he (Potter) will feel the pressure, and hopefully he will do well because I like him. But he has to win,” Benitez told Sky Sports.
“I think it will be more demanding for him. He has the knowledge, yes. Can he manage the pressure? We will see in the future.”
Benitez has a remarkable CV that’s seen him manage so many big clubs, including the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool. He won the Europa League when he was the interim Chelsea boss, too.
Therefore, Potter should take big confidence from Benitez’s praise.
However, it’s likely he’s already fully aware that it’s going to be a different kind of spotlight on him now he’s in London.
It seems like Chelsea’s new ownership are heading in a fresh direction with everything they’re doing, but there’s no doubt fans are still expecting top results on the pitch. They’ll hope to be firmly in the mix for some silverware this campaign as well.
Potter’s rise in the game has deservedly earned him this shot on the elite stage, so it’s now time to see if he’s ready for the step up.
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