Brighton midfielder Solly March has revealed Graham Potter quit for Chelsea just an hour after posing with him for the season team photo!

Brighton have since recovered from Potter's defection and sit above Chelsea on the table under new manager Roberto de Zerbi.

March said: “It was a bit of a stock. I don't think anyone saw it coming and it happened so quick. We had a team photo and then we were having lunch and watching Sky Sports News, and they said, Potter's going to Chelsea'. It was about an hour later.

“So it was a bit of a shock for everybody and perhaps that's why it took a couple of weeks to bed in with Roberto. Not many managers leave when you're fourth in the league, which is where we were when Graham left.

“The first three games under Roberto, we lost two and drew one, so it took a while, but now he has set his way of playing to us. At first it took us a bit of time to get used to it, but everyone 100 per cent believes in him and that is showing, everyone loves playing for him."

March is loving life under De Zerbi.

He added: “The gaffer sets the example every day. He tells us how hard he wants us to work.

“The details he wants from every pass and every touch, that really helps. Him driving us forward. I've always said that when I get a run of games in a set position, I play my best football and that shows this year.

“I've cemented my place in the team and it's showing on the pitch. I've had times where I've played almost as well as I'm playing, or even better.

“But it seems it's just goals that propel you to the next level. It's a stat-base game, I guess. Since those goals people have been talking about me a lot more."