Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Graham Potter tipped to unleash difference-maker who made immediate impression on new Chelsea boss

Graham Potter, September 2022

New Chelsea boss Graham Potter is being tipped to unleash Carney Chukwuemeka on the Premier League after the international break.

The talented midfielder signed a six-year contract after joining from Aston Villa in a deal the Daily Mail reported could eventually be worth as much as £20million.

The 18-year-old arrived in west London after failing to convince Villa boss Steven Gerrard he was worthy of regular game time at Villa Park.

And Tottenham insider John Wenham claims to have heard things about Potter’s plans for Chukwuemeka.

He believes Potter’s ability to work with younger players means the pair will connect well.

He told Football Insider: “I saw they played a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brighton.

“That’s quite a strange one for Potter to go back already. Carney Chukwuemeka got the goals in a 2-1 win.

“Potter has got the best out of young players so he will be looking to impress and he has been a very good player every time I have seen him play.

“Chelsea have very good young players, we know this. So Potter going there could work from that angle too.

“Obviously they have to improve after their start to the season. But I rate Potter and I think he will turn them around.”

Chukwuemeka only made 15 senior appearances for Aston Villa before moving to Stamford Bridge.

It was previously reported that the midfielder was asking for a salary of £100,000-a-week t renew his Villa Park contract. That would have represented an outlay of £5.2million per year and was clearly knocked back.

Chukwuemeka now has the chance to showcase his talents at Chelsea, where he will also play in the Champions League.

So far, the midfielder has been an unused substitute in the European games against Dinamo Zagreb and RB Salzburg.

Chukwuemeka primed to make his mark in Palace clash

He has also yet to make his Premier League debut for Chelsea but that all change on Saturday.

The Blues are back in action this weekend when they take on London rivals Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Potter will lead out Chelsea for the first time in the league against the Eagles. However, one pundit fears the former Brighton chief could end up suffering the same fate as Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge.

Don Hutchison insists Potter has to get the dressing room on his side very early on.

Lampard ended up falling out with several key performers, which ultimately led to his downfall.

And Hutchison told Football Insider: “I have a funny feeling that Graham Potter, and not because it’s Graham Potter, he is going to struggle at Chelsea,” the pundit said.

“I am not sold on that dressing room, I don’t feel it’s a good dressing room.

“All the way back to Frank Lampard when he was managing some of the individuals. I would like to see how some of these players and individuals perform for Graham Potter, I hope they do because he is a fantastic manager.”

Time will certainly tell, but a win over Palace in his first league game will make a good opening impression.

READ MORE: The four Chelsea players that could leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season