Potter goes back to Chelsea with point to prove in calmer West Ham waters

A win against Fulham and draw at Villa are early signs of a better fit at West Ham on manager’s return to his old club

Graham Potter’s return to Chelsea coming on deadline day feels symbolic. West Ham’s head coach does not look back fondly at the extravaganza of player trading when he was in charge at Stamford Bridge in January 2023. It was a time of chaos and unreasonable pressure. The new owners were spending like there was no tomorrow and by the time the window closed it was left to Potter to make sense of a squad so bloated there was not enough space for everyone in the first-team dressing room.

Good luck with that. Chelsea had crowed after beating Arsenal to Mykhaylo Mudryk. Negotiations with Benfica led to a British transfer record for Enzo Fernández. Noni Madueke, David Datro Fofana and Benoît Badiashile joined. A deal for Malo Gusto was confirmed for the summer. João Félix arrived on loan. Jorginho took his experience and nous to Arsenal. Hakim Ziyech’s loan to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed because of technical issues. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had to be cut from the squad for the Champions League knockout stages. Potter, who takes West Ham to Stamford Bridge on Monday night, watched it all unfold and knew that expectations were about to go through the roof.

Topics

Potter’s spell starts with FA Cup exit as Aston Villa battle back to beat West Ham

Graham Potter’s first game back in the dugout for 20 months ended not only in an FA Cup exit, after the brightest of starts, but with the loss of two more strikers as West Ham’s hopes of ...
The Guardian - Jan. 10
Graham Potter’s task is to put human heart back in West Ham’s gormless machine | Jonathan Liew

After Hollywood farce of Chelsea and two years out of game, rags-to-riches manager has seized chance to join ‘family club’. Remember Angrygate? For a few surreal days in February 2023, pretty much ...
The Guardian - Jan. 10
West Ham hire Potter after Lopetegui sacking

West Ham United have appointed Graham Potter as their new manager, the club announced on Thursday.
ESPN - Jan. 9
'Big challenge' - Potter takes charge at West Ham

West Ham appoint former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter as their new manager.
BBC News - Jan. 9
Sources: West Ham hire ex-Chelsea coach Potter

Graham Potter has agreed to a deal with West Ham United to become their new head coach, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
ESPN - Jan. 9
Why West Ham and why now? Is Potter the right fit?

BBC Sport examines whether new West Ham boss Graham Potter is a good fit for the job.
BBC News - Jan. 9
West Ham to appoint Potter after sacking Lopetegui

Graham Potter will be appointed as West Ham's new manager after the club sacked Julen Lopetegui.
BBC News - Jan. 8
Lopetegui in limbo as West Ham move for Potter stalls over contract demand

Potter wants two-and-a-half-year contract with Hammers Spaniard’s camp unhappy over conduct of Steidten Julen Lopetegui is in limbo after West Ham’s move to replace their manager stalled over ...
The Guardian - Jan. 7
West Ham ask Graham Potter to be new manager with Lopetegui facing sack

Former Brighton and Chelsea coach is considering offer Tim Steidten’s relationship with Lopetegui breaks down West Ham have asked Graham Potter to become their new manager after deciding to sack ...
The Guardian - Jan. 6

More from The Guardian

Canada and Mexico hit back after Trump signs order for punishing tariffs

Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, announces tit-for-tat 25% tariffs and warns of impeded access to ‘vital goods critical to US security’. The leaders of Canada and Mexico have hit back ...
The Guardian - 7h
Ukraine and Russia blame each other as missile kills at least four in Kursk school

Ukraine armed forces say 84 people were rescued or had medical help after strike in Russian territory that Kyiv holds. Ukraine and Russia have traded blame for a deadly missile strike that killed ...
The Guardian - 40m
‘Why did we give back this alleged criminal?’ Pressure grows on Meloni after Italy releases wanted Libyan police chief

Critics accuse prime minister of pandering to Tripoli over migration after Osama Najim was freed despite an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes. After stepping off an aircraft belonging to the ...
The Guardian - 17h
NSW minister apologises after asking chauffeur to drive 446km for Australia Day weekend lunch

Transport minister Jo Haylen admits ‘I made the wrong decision’ after ministerial car booked out for 13 hours for Hunter Valley lunch at winery. Get our breaking news email , free app or daily ...
The Guardian - 5h
Major anti-corruption protests in Serbia add to pressure on President Vučić

Tens of thousands rally against government and in memory of railway station roof collapse that killed 15. Serbia’s powerful populist leader Aleksandar Vučić was facing his biggest challenge yet as ...
The Guardian - 15h

More in World

Netanyahu Heads to Washington at a Critical Juncture for Mideast

Israel’s prime minister is expected to meet with President Trump later this week to discuss the future of Gaza and broader regional issues.
The New York Times - 17m
The Dark Side of Canada’s Fight Over Lobster

As Canada wrangles an epic, decades-long saga of who can fish for lobster, and when, emerging threats are heating up the conflict in Nova Scotia.
The New York Times - 26m
Ukraine and Russia blame each other as missile kills at least four in Kursk school

Ukraine armed forces say 84 people were rescued or had medical help after strike in Russian territory that Kyiv holds. Ukraine and Russia have traded blame for a deadly missile strike that killed ...
The Guardian - 40m
Russia, Seeking to Salvage Military Bases, Goes Hat in Hand to Syria

The arrival of the first top Russian diplomat in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad’s fall kicks off negotiations over the fate of Moscow’s bases in Syria.
The New York Times - 46m
Here’s a shocking finding, gen Z: democracy isn’t perfect | David Mitchell

According to a new poll, half of our 13- to 27-year-olds can’t see the point of all those time-wasting elections and parliaments. Why do they not know that authoritarianism is worse?. The phrase ...
The Guardian - 47m