Milk Tray Man comparisons and jumper focus catch Graham Potter off-guard

Graham Potter was anticipating more scrutiny when he was appointed Chelsea head coach – but comparisons to the Milk Tray Man and a focus on his choice of polo neck jumpers were not what he was expecting.

The 47-year-old left Brighton to take over at Stamford Bridge last month and has led the Blues to a draw and four wins in his first five games at the helm.

Asked about being compared to the Milk Tray Man, he replied: “Somebody said to me the other day that I have had a ‘glow up’.

“I have no idea what that is. I am growing into my face like fine wine.

“I have had a haircut from somebody that cuts the lads’ hair. So probably that has made a difference, I don’t know. It cost a lot more than I thought it was going to.”

Discussions over his touchline wardrobe have highlighted his choice of jumper – but Potter revealed he has been sporting a lucky sweater since Brighton beat Tottenham in April.

“I used to wear the polo neck. It is not a new jumper,” he added.

“It’s not that old but not new. If you check back – and I know this is not investigative journalism – I think we beat Tottenham 1-0 with that jumper so maybe it is a lucky jumper? I don’t know.

“I would like discussions about me to be a bit more highbrow than about my jumper or my haircut but at the end of the day there is 24-hour news.

“You need to fill it with something so it may as well be about my jumper.”