Tottenham Hotspur will now face ‘increased competition’ for a place in next season’s Champions League after Chelsea chose to replace Thomas Tuchel with Graham Potter, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Antonio Conte has overseen a strong start to the season at Hotspur Way but will need to remain on top of his game if he is to see his side to a second consecutive top-four finish.

What happened at Chelsea?

After the Blues were beaten by Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, chairman Todd Boehly opted to call time on Tuchel’s spell as manager.

Less than 24 hours after the decision was made, Potter was announced as their new boss, leaving Brighton & Hove Albion for west London.

Prior to the former Swansea City boss’s arrival, Chelsea had won just three of their opening six Premier League games, with Spurs sat four points clear of their rivals.

There will be growing optimism at Stamford Bridge that, under their new boss, they will be able to close that gap soon enough.

However, Tottenham have the chance to stretch their lead when they welcome Leicester City to north London with Chelsea’s meeting with Liverpool postponed.

Meanwhile, Arsenal, Manchester City and Brighton make up the remaining three spots in the current Champions League places.

What has O’Rourke said on the top-four race?

O’Rourke believes that Potter’s appointment will make the race for one of the coveted spots even more intense moving forward.

The journalist adds that Liverpool’s shaky form also adds extra intrigue to the tussle.

When asked whether Potter’s appointment could affect Tottenham’s chances, O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “It obviously increases the competition for the top four. I think Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel would have been competing for the top four as well.

“Obviously, they had a sticky start which resulted in Tuchel losing his job, but I think the top four race looks pretty open this year, I think, with Liverpool not having a great start either.”

Can Tottenham book a place in the top four?

There is no reason why not.

Conte led Spurs into one of the spots last term and he has only strengthened his side in the time since.

Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League but they will likely hit a rocky patch of form at some point while Brighton could fall away following Potter’s departure.

It would be a surprise if Liverpool did not bounce back from their malaise – while the same could be expected from Chelsea – but Spurs should still have faith in their squad and their manager.