Graham Potter, who is yet to lose, will take on Brighton for the first time since moving to Stamford Bridge on Saturday as Chelsea travel south. Roberto De Zerbi, the Seagulls' new head coach, has had a difficult start; he will have faced each of the top four teams from last season in October, and he has lost all five of his games thus far.
While Chelsea has made significant strides on the international stage, Potter's team has lost four points in the last two domestic league games and has slid out of the top four. However, there are good omens for the south coast fixture.The Blues have won the previous four of their previous five Saturday afternoon starts. In fact, the Londoners have lost just once in their last 18 Premier League games at that time of day (along with 13 wins and four ties), scoring 47 goals for an average of 2.6 goals per game.
In addition, Chelsea has never lost to Brighton in the league and has won six and tied four of their last ten meetings in the top level. Albion has never even taken the lead against the Blues in a Premier League match. Despite the Seagulls' reputation for being "goal-shy," the Blues have only one more league goal than the Saturday's opponents.However, the world champions are the second-best away team in the top division this season with 10 points gained from six matches, and they have been third in form over the previous eight league contests. In all 10 of our games at Brighton, across all competitions, we have scored.
In Austria, four or five goals would not have been an unreasonable reward for some of Potter's best offensive play. Despite missed opportunities and another lead loss, there were still many positives from the game, not the least of which was the head coach's daring strategy.
In comparison to recent games against Villa, Brentford, and Manchester United, his setup frequently resembled a front-four attack, resulting in more fluid forward play and increased chances. Leandro Trossard and Solly March, two attacking players who played for Brighton, served as wingbacks for Potter. At Salzburg, Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic pushed forward to fill either flank. While midfielders like Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher routinely disturbed the Austrian team's defensive lines, the Blues also defeated Salzburg's press with progressive passing sequences, giving the ball to teammates in the area moments later.
As a result of Thiago Silva's botched challenge on the halfway line, the Blues were unable to recover in time for their goal, which served as a warning about the dangers of wide defenders playing excessively high. But in the end, the benefits exceeded the drawbacks.But in the end, the positives exceeded the drawbacks. Football that was courageous and effective.
Potter will have been pleased that Pulisic contributed to both goals, Gallagher gave his greatest performance in royal blue, and Trevoh Chalobah kept up his impressive run even if resources are still few.The tremendous attacks from Kova and Kai Havertz, with the promise of more to come, will be the most satisfying. Hopefully Kalidou Koulibaly's injury is not too serious and he will be able to play this weekend. Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell might play again in Sussex after missing midweek.
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