Champions League: It’s a Whole New World for Graham Potter

Chelsea vs Red Bull Salzburg

Last week Graham Potter was manager of Brighton and Hove Albion, a team he had managed for three successful seasons. But things have changed dramatically, and rather suddenly, for the young English head coach. 

He turned the Seagulls into one of the most watchable sides in the English top flight and his management style has seen his name linked with some big jobs. And now Potter has landed one of the biggest. So instead of taking training at the South Coast club, he’ll be in the dugout for Chelsea in their Champions League clash against Red Bull Salzburg.

Potter has been handed a five-year contract by new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and, apparently, has been told he won’t get the sack even if he misses out on a top-four place this season. And the American owner is reported to have paid Brighton a total of £21.5m in compensation as Potter and four members of his coaching staff have moved to West London.

Potter takes over a team in a state of flux. After spending extravagantly in the summer transfer window, they have made a slow start in the Premier League. Chelsea also lost their Champions League opener away to Dynamo Zagreb, while opponents Salzburg made a good start to their campaign, drawing 1-1 at home to AC Milan.  

Salzburg boss Matthias Jaissle knows this will be a tough game and the Champions League 2022 betting odds are backing a home win, but this might not be such a bad time for the Austrians to take on the London giants. 

Talking Points

How quickly can Potter get Chelsea to gel?

In the early stages of this Premier League season Chelsea have been overshadowed by Arsenal’s great start and Spurs too are showing signs that they can mount a serious challenge. So the pressure is on Chelsea, the club that has been so used to being top dogs in London over the past 15 years or so.

Chelsea have spent more than any other club since Boehly’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, an eye-watering £270m, and the businessman clearly wants a return on his investment. Potter will be reunited with his former Seagulls wingback Marc Cucurella who transferred to the Blues for a cool £62m, the Spanish star has made a decent start at the Bridge, contributing a couple of assists.

Of the other additions, Raheem Sterling has added quality to the attack and Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang has stacks of Premier League experience. But in defence they have less Premier League nous, as former Napoli star Kalidou Koulbaly, who has started with one or two good performances and a red card, and 21-year-old Wesley Fofana, have been added for a combined £104m.

It will take some time for these expensive new recruits to fully integrate with the existing players at the club and that will occupy a lot of Potter’s time.

Captain Ulmer is Mr Salzburg

Red Bull come into the game on the back of a 3-0 win over SV Reid, a result which sits them in their usual place at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga. They have won the top flight Austrian league in each of the last nine campaigns and 16 times in total.

Captained by 36-year-old left-back Andreas Ulmer, the young Salzburg team has a formidable leader. He’s been at the club since 2009, making 361 appearances, and has been a constant feature in Red Bull’s recent successes. A strong defender with good vision and passing, Ulmer has mentored many of his team’s younger stars who have shone under his guidance.

22-year-old striker Noah Okafor is a man to watch. He’ll make some lively Champions League 2022 highlights and is in a good run of form, scoring the third goal in Salzburg’s 3-0 victory over SV Ried. And Okafor also showed a touch of brilliance to nutmeg Milan’s Pierre Kalulu before opening the scoring against I Rossoneri last week.

History

These two teams have met just once before in a pre-season friendly in 2019 when Chelsea won 5-3, but recent form isn’t so encouraging for the Blues.

Chelsea’s record of two wins, three defeats and a draw from the last six games saw the end of Tuchel while, in the Austrian Bundesliga Salzburg are indisputably the best side and they have won five and drawn one of their last six games.

But Chelsea are unbeaten in seven games at Stamford Bridge and we may see a new manager bounce on Wednesday.  

Betting Tip 

At SBOTOP odds of 1.37 surely Potter can start with a home win, though at 6.37 to win and 4.84 to draw Salzburg are not out of sight. The double chance Salzburg or Draw is tempting at 2.82 and, while I expect the Blues to come through I don’t think they’ll have much to spare.

 

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