EPL: Potter set season targets after replacing Tuchel at Chelsea

Chelsea are still targeting a top-four finish after appointing Graham Potter as the new manager despite an unsteady start to the season.

The Blues had set that minimum target under Thomas Tuchel during pre-season before embarking on a £270million overhaul of the playing squad.

The goal remains well within reach with Chelsea in sixth place despite performances a string of unimpressive displays in the early stages of the season.

Even though Potter will be under pressure to secure a top-four finish, the new Boehly-Clearlake owners will not look too harshly on him should he fall short.

It would take a staggering underperformance for him to be sacked in the near future with a five-year deal signed and both parties agreed to a long-term vision of working together.

Chelsea will also look to back him in January with new signings, with a midfielder and possibly a new back-up goalkeeper being targeted.

The midfield targets could include Edson Alvarez, who saw his club Ajax turn down a £43million bid last week.

PSV Eindhoven’s Ibrahim Sangare and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia also saw approaches turned down before the Blues signed Denis Zakaria on loan from Juventus on deadline day.

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as our new Head Coach! 🤝

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 8, 2022

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There is a need to sign midfielders with both N’Golo Kante and Jorginho having less than a year to run on their current contracts.

They may also dip into the goalkeeper market with Kepa Arrizabalaga’s situation under constant review as he seeks more regular first-team football.

With Tuchel now gone, there could be a way back for Romelu Lukaku, but his loan agreement with Inter Milan is watertight and there’s a loose agreement that he remains at San Siro for a second season.