Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has suggested that he does not expect a 'universally' warm welcome when he returns to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.
Last month, Potter made the decision to end his three-year stint at the Amex Stadium to accept the opportunity to replace Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.
Although Potter won just 42 of his 135 matches in charge of the Seagulls, moving to Chelsea was reward for establishing Brighton in the top flight.
Since his exit, Chelsea have gone nine matches unbeaten in all competitions, their sixth win under Potter's guidance coming at Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
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Meanwhile, Brighton are still searching for their first success under Roberto De Zerbi, who has collected just two points from five games in the Premier League.
Rather than the attention being on the Italian's uninspiring start to life on the South coast, focus will be on Potter when he lines up in the away dugout.
At a press conference ahead of the upcoming fixture, Potter admitted that it will feel "special" to return to his former club, yet insisted that he refused to be "naive" regarding his possible welcome.
Speaking to reporters, the Englishman said: "Yeah, of course. It is a place where I spent three happy years, so I am looking forward to going back.
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"These things happen in football. Sometimes life throws you opportunities and you have to take them or not. Timing wasn't great for anyone, I would say, but sometimes that happens, and then it is about a decision, and a decision to work here was too good to turn down.
"As for the crowd, what my expectations are, I don't really have any. Most people that I have spoken to from Brighton have been supportive and thankful, but I'm not naive. I know that isn't universal."
Despite their recent contrasting form, Brighton trail Chelsea by just six points in the Premier League standings.
However, Brighton are yet to beat the West Londoners since their promotion to the division and the current winless streak stands at 17 matches.
Darren Plant
