Graham Potter must have had a difficult few months after waving Brighton and Hove Albion off, believing his career was taking off, only to be dragged back to earth at Chelsea.

He continues to reside in the Brighton area, close to the supporters who, after feeling let down when he left them in September, made fun of him when he and his Chelsea team suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss at the Amex Stadium in October. At the time, this result appeared to be a first real setback, but it can now be seen as the beginning of what would quickly unravel.

He is rarely missed by Brighton. As remarkable as their development was under Potter, they are reaching new heights under his successor Roberto Di Zerbi, winning praise, now placing seventh in the Premier League, vying for European qualifying, and anticipating a matchup with Manchester United in the FA Cup semifinal next Sunday.

However, on Saturday at Stamford Bridge, Potter’s involvement in two distinct storylines was at least partially acknowledged. Di Zerbi made a point of thanking his predecessor for the “very great and very strong team” he inherited after Brighton handed Chelsea their third straight loss under interim head coach Frank Lampard. While Potter might not have had the answers at Chelsea, it is now more obvious than ever that their problems are much deeper.