Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has heaped praise on Graham Potter after his start as manager.

The former Brighton coach has helped stabilize the club after the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

Potter is unbeaten after his first nine games, with the Blues winning three and drawing three in that time.

Cole said on BT Sport after Chelsea beat RB Salzburg away from home in the Champions League group stages: “When you interview him he is very straight and doesn't deviate from what he sees as his message. You can't imagine him getting flustered, I never saw him flustered at Brighton. People were stupidly questioning him then.

“Everyone in that squad will feel they have the opportunity to get back in the fold and become a big player at Chelsea. Everyone is motivated. That wanes after time and he will know that. After two or three months, Hakim Ziyech, I use him as an example, his motivation might start to slip and how do you deal with that?

“I'm sure Graham Potter will address that when it comes. You are almost looking at things possibly down the line that could go wrong and how he will react. He has ticked every box so far, all the players are at it, and his garden is rosy at the moment."