Chelsea players derided former manager Graham Potter behind his back and dubbed him a 'yes man' before Sunday night's sacking, it has been claimed.

Potter was dismissed after just seven months in charge after defeat at home to Aston Villa left Chelsea in the bottom half of the table.

The Athletic reports players nicknamed Potter, 'Harry' and 'Hogwarts', while they gossiped about his position, with co-owner Behdad Eghbali a regular on the sidelines of training at Cobham.

There was a belief Potter took orders on team selection and that he favoured new signings over established players on orders from the top brass.

His performance at media pressers also left his squad questioning his personality and "authority".

Potter left Chelsea on Sunday with the equal-worst managerial record at the club in the Premier League era.