Graham Potter: New Chelsea boss makes four player demands of Todd Boehly as agreement is reached

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has reportedly agreed to four major Graham Potter demands after a deal to install him as new Blues boss was finalised.

The 47-year-old is the man chosen by Boehly to replace Thomas Tuchel, after his sacking on Wednesday. The new Blues owner has called time on Tuchel’s reign just a matter of months after he bought out Roman Abramovich. The axe fell on Tuchel after a disappointing run of form that culminated in a woeful 1-0 Champions League defeat at Dinamo Zagreb.

However, there were clearly other circumstances surrounding Tuchel’s demise beyond their poor run of form. Indeed, a report on Wednesday suggests a disagreement over the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo was also a lingering issue.

It seems Boehly and Tuchel were regularly at loggerheads on a series of transfer issues.

Despite that, Boehly – who also backed up as a stand-in sporting director – backed Tuchel to the tune of £253m.

But with the axe now falling, the Blues quickly turned to Potter, with agreement over compensation quickly reached.

Potter has since travelled to London to meet with Boehly and his fellow Chelsea directors. And it’s widely reported that an agreement to make him their new manager has now been reached.

In order to facilitate the move, however, Potter reportedly asked Boehly for four conditions to be met.

First up, he reportedly wants guarantees that he will have the final say so on January transfers and beyond. He wants more than an active say in the players that Chelsea sign; something it is claimed his predecessors did not have.

And Potter – once appointed – is expected to have an active role in contract negotiations. The Blues recently extended the stay of Reece James.

Chelsea four set for Graham Potter contract negotiations

However, there are a quartet of other stars currently locked in talks over contract renewals with the club. To that end, Fabrizio Romano claims on his YouTube channel that he also wants an active say in such discussions.

To that end, Mason Mount, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy are among the players currently talking over fresh terms.

Indeed, while Potter does not want to get into the finer details of the negotiations, he does want to have a say over their roles and importance to Chelsea going forwards.

To that end, he will a say in over how long their terms ought to be.

In addition, Potter has also been told he is fine to remain living in his family’s base in Hove. While a longer commute, it’s certainly not an unachievable drive and that is thought to be a big factor in the negotiations.

Furthermore, Potter also sought guarantees on the security of his job at Chelsea. He is currently sat on a relatively safe position with Brighton. Moving to Chelsea brings with it a whole heap of added pressures. It is for that reason why one pundit is advising Potter to avoid the Chelsea ‘snake pit’.

However, he’s reportedly been assured by Boehly that he will be given time to put his mark on the club and run the football side of things as he sees fit.

Length of Potter deal revealed

As such, Potter has reportedly said his goodbyes to the Brighton players on Thursday morning. He took no part in first-team training on Thursday morning at their Lancing training ground complex. He was there for around two hours to gather his things and say his goodbyes.

The Solihull-born manager has now arrived at Cobham where an announcement on his appointment is imminent.

He will reportedly sign a five-year deal at the Blues, tying him down as manager until 2027.

It’s certainly a massive call from Boehly and the Blues board.

Having furnished the club with several expensive signings this summer, questions have already been raised over his regime. The speed of the sacking of Tuchel, as well as the appointment of Potter will raise further eyebrows.

And Boehly’s reputation at Chelsea will very much tie in with the success of Potter. If he becomes a success, that will reflect well on the American. But were Graham Potter fail to match Chelsea’s high standards, fingers will be pointed in the owner’s direction.

READ MORE: Graham Potter will look to bring three Brighton stars with him to Chelsea