“His return to the Amex”- Pat Nevin flags this game as Chelsea’s toughest challenge in October

Pat Nevin says the toughest game in October for Graham Potter will be against Brighton

Speaking to the official Chelsea website (h/t Football.London), former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has labelled the club’s game against Brighton and Hove Albion as the toughest test for manager Graham Potter in October.

Potter, who was formerly with the Seagulls before being appointed as the new Blues boss earlier this month, will return to the Amex Stadium for the first time as an opposing manager since leaving the club so early in the season. The game is scheduled on October 29.

Chelsea have to play nine games next month, including two big ones against AC Milan in the Champions League and a tough home game against Manchester United in the league. But Nevin believes the biggest threat to the Blues in that run is the trip to the south coast.

Here’s what the former club winger said:

“Maybe it will be the match against Brighton down on the south coast at the end of October that will play on the head coach’s mind more than any other.”

“There are plenty of heartless people in football, but Graham Potter isn’t one of them, so his return to the Amex Stadium will have a special place in his heart, whatever the reaction is from his former acolytes in the stands.”

It would be interesting to know the sort of reception Brighton fans will give to Potter. They loved him there, but they should also respect that Chelsea are one of the big boys. You do not reject offers from Stamford Bridge unless you are at a club bigger than them.

Potter will have his work cut out though to get the team functioning again after a stuttering start to the season, which he is not responsible for.

Out of the nine scheduled games in 28 days in October, six of them are away from home. So not just the volume of games, the placing of it is going to test each and everyone in the squad and the management group.

The advantage of such a run of games is that if a team starts winning, the momentum and confidence gained can get them through the tightness of the schedule. The other upside is that there are a lot of points to be won in such a short space of time. A team like Chelsea, who have struggled for points so far, can collect a lot of them if they play well.

More Chelsea News:

• Former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham wants to return to the Premier League soon
• Reece James believes Chelsea have an exciting future under manager Graham Potter
• Christian Pulisic entered talks with Juventus, Chelsea will demand £31m

It all starts against Crystal Palace away at Selhurst Park on Saturday, followed by a monumental game against AC Milan at Stamford Bridge. Hopefully, our gaffer’s focus remains on the next game and while the task against the Seagulls will be tough, we should be able to beat them with the team at Potter’s disposal.