One name being bandied about in the news for Tottenham Hotspur and possibly even Arsenal next season is Brighton’s, Graham Potter.
Graham Potter has Brighton just above the relegation zone at the moment, although they are less likely to be relegated than Tottenham is to make the top four for what it is worth. Despite no real accomplishments as a manager in English football, Potter is reportedly popular with the players and depending on where you look very popular with bookies as well. So we take a look at who is Graham Potter and why teams would interested in the coach of the 17th placed team in the Premier League.
What are Potter’s Credentials?
Graham Potter was a professional player in his youth, getting a cup of coffee in the Premier League, which include one full 90-minute appearance for Southampton against Leeds back in 1996 at The Dell. Of course, it is not the not quite journeyman player Tottenham is interested in, it is Graham Potter the up-and-coming coach we want to know about.
Potter cut his teeth in Sweden
While most fans know Potter from his two seasons at Brighton – he is under contract until 2025 – it was coaching in Sweden for eight years where the Englishman really learned his trade. Over the course of 224 matches and eight years, Graham Potter led Östersunds FK from the second tier Superettan into the Allsvenskan – the Swedish top flight.
Following four seasons in the second division Potter and Östersunds FK were able to get promoted, win the Svenska Cupen – think Swedish FA Cup – and even reached Europa League. The Svenska Cupen is both Potter and Östersunds FK’s only cup victories.
During that time, Potter used a number of different formations as he learned his trade, ultimately, favoring a four-man backline, although he was known to use three as well.
Potter went from Sweden to England and Swansea
Swansea was relegated prior to the 2018-19 season when Graham Potter took over. Swansea had an okay season finishing a midtable 10th in the Championship. What Potter did well was use his young players.
Potter used seven players 22-years-old or younger at least 2,000 minutes on the season, including two then 20-year-olds, Joe Rodon, and Cameron Carter-Vickers. The star of that team was Oliver McBurnie who managed 22 goals. The same McBurnie who has 1 this season for Sheffield. Potter seemed a progressive coach and despite little success in England, it was enough for Brighton and Hove Albion who brought Potter in to lead the team in the summer of 2019.
Potter has kept Brighton in the Premier League
Over two seasons with Brighton and Hove Albion, Graham Potter has kept the Seagulls in the top flight, which is goal number one. And while the point total and place in the table may end up no better than last season, the team itself is markedly better or at least appears so on paper.
In 2019-20, Brighton had an expected goal difference of -13.3 and an actual goal difference of -17. This season Brighton has an expected goal difference of +14.5 and a real goal difference of -4. That is a 28.8 expected goal difference improvement from one season to the next and a real improvement of 13 goals thus far.
It is this expected goal difference and the fact that the team has conceded only five more goals and expected yet scored 13 less, which really has people intrigued. In other words, Brighton creates a lot of chances under Graham Potter without conceding a lot of chances. While Tottenham has done well to create a lot of chances this season, they have conceded far too many too.
Potter likes to attack and play young players a good recipe for Tottenham
The belief is Potter and his progressive attacking and passing style will translate with the players at Tottenham and lead to more success. Further, the willingness to play young players Potter showed at Swansea came with him to Brighton.
In his two seasons at Brighton, Graham Potter has given minutes to no fewer than 20 players 22-years-old or younger. This includes more than 2,000 minutes for midfielder Steven Alzate (22) and center forward Aaron Connolly (21). Alexis Mac Allister (22) has more than 1,700 minutes and of course, Tottenham tormentor from earlier this season and promising right back Tariq Lamptey (20) has played nearly 1,500 minutes.
It is this promise of playing the youth, as a younger coach, that has shown a positive style that no doubt has Daniel Levy’s attention. While the lack of success in England is a flag, Mauricio Pochettino had not won anything either and was pretty good. Flexible, aggressive, and organized, Graham Potter does have the makings of a really good coach, whether or not that is as coach of Tottenham remains to be seen, but he does show some promise.