Chelsea boss Graham Potter will finally take charge of his first Premier League game as Blues manager against Crystal Palace this weekend.
Potter left Brighton to take over from Thomas Tuchel earlier this month, but due to the death of Queen Elizabeth and the international break he has so far overseen just one League of Nations game. champions.
The Blues drew 1-1 with Red Bull Salzburg but this extended break might not be bad for Potter or the team.
Knowing how hard the former Swansea boss works on the training ground, that time off has likely allowed him to implement his ideas.
But much of the team has gone on international duty, so not everyone will be aware of Potter’s tactics.
Either way, Chelsea could do with a win.
They currently sit seventh in the Premier League, three points behind the top four and already eight points behind leaders Arsenal.
That gap could expand to 11 before the Blues kick off at Selhurst Park, depending on the outcome of the North London derby on Saturday lunchtime.
A win is therefore needed, and only one of Chelsea’s last ten permanent managers has lost their first league game.
Frank Lampard was the last manager to suffer this fate, with a 4-0 loss to Manchester United in 2019.
Potter will seek to avoid repeating this and at least draw.
But he established a reputation as one of England’s best blunderers around, and he put Brighton fourth in the league after a brilliant start to the season.
Thus, while the pressure is strong, he surfs the crest of a wave.
In Potter’s last 15 Premier League games, he has lost two, beaten Manchester United twice and scored wins against Arsenal and Tottenham.
The former Brighton boss will also be bolstered by Chelsea’s incredible record against Crystal Palace.
Since a 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park in 2017, Chelsea have won nine consecutive top-flight matches against their London rivals.
It was only against Liverpool (ten) that Palace suffered their worst losing streak in their league history.
In fact, the hosts have won just four of the last 22 meetings, with the Blues winning 18.
Therefore, if there was one game for Potter to seal his first win as Chelsea boss, this is it.
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