“He was good, interesting”- Premier League legend gives his verdict on Chelsea manager Graham Potter

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney heaps praise on Chelsea manager Graham Potter

Speaking to the Times (Subscription Required) [h/t Evening Standard], Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has heaped praise on Chelsea manager Graham Potter for developing his managerial skills before taking such a big job at Stamford Bridge.

Potter began his coaching career working in amateur football before moving to Sweden to manage Ostersund. The Englishman’s reputation took a first major jump when he took the fourth-tier club to Europe and won them a cup.

His second reputational jump was his spell at Brighton and Hove Albion just before joining Chelsea. The 47-year-old turned the Seagulls from a team that used to play defensive-minded football into a possession-dominant outfit that can take on some of the big teams in the league in their own game.

Here’s what Rooney said about Potter (h/t Evening Standard):

“I had a few hours with him (Potter) on Zoom and he went through his journey with me. He was good, interesting. He was sharing his ideas and I was sharing my ideas of how I work. It’s good to bounce ideas off another coach — I’ve done similar with Gareth Southgate and a few others.”

“You look at Graham, or Arsene Wenger who went to Asia. [Jose] Mourinho has been in different places. Fergie started with small clubs in Scotland. Patrick Vieira managed over here [at New York City FC] and went to France.”

Potter was appointed as the Chelsea manager a day after Thomas Tuchel was sacked following the defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

The former Swansea City manager has a good track record of developing young players and also getting the best out of the experienced ones if they have been underperforming under the previous regime.

The 47-year-old’s pathway to getting such an elite job is an interesting one. Having been on the road to learn the job and gain experience, he may have more variety in his managerial skills, which can come in handy managing a team of such a demanding club.

Although his first Chelsea game against RB Salzburg didn’t go as planned result-wise, the signs were there of how Potter is going to set his team up. He explained some of that after the game too, including playing Raheem Sterling as a left wing-back.

More Chelsea News:

• Scott Sinclair is training with Chelsea to prepare for his next move
• Francis Benali gives his verdict on the late Chelsea bid for Romeo Lavia
• Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea owner Todd Boehly wanted to sign Erling Haaland

The Blues next face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park after the international in Potter’s league game in charge. Games come thick and fast in October and early November. So, a win in the London derby will give the momentum needed to finish strong before the World Cup arrives.