'Putting my neck on the line' - Paul Merson makes big claim about Brighton boss Potter

Graham Potter (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has claimed that Brighton manager Graham Potter is good enough to manage Tottenham Hotspur or Arsenal.

The Albion boss has emerged as a shock candidate for the vacant role at Spurs following Jose Mourinho’s recent departure in north London.

Despite his side being embroiled in a relegation battle for much of the season, Potter has won a number of admirers, thanks in large part to his commitment to playing an attractive brand of attacking football.

And Merson is convinced that he would be a success if he were to be handed an opportunity at a top six side.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday over the weekend, the former Arsenal midfielder said: “I’m putting my neck on the line here – I’d take him at Tottenham.

"I think this manager’s good – I’d take him at Arsenal! If Arteta left tomorrow morning, I’d take him at Arsenal.

"What he does, he plays good football. From box to box, it’s good.

"If you can get him a centre-forward… They [Brighton] can’t put the ball in the back of the net. That’s not his fault. He can’t do anything about that, he picks the team.

"It’s hard. Everybody wants a centre-forward.”

For all of their positive possession-based football, there have been times when Brighton have struggled in front of goal this term.

The Seagulls have averaged an xG of 1.76 per game in the Premier League this season, but have only actually managed to score 1.03 goals per 90 minutes, as per Wyscout.