Amid the late show at Stamford Bridge, former Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle was left blown away by what one of Enzo Maresca’s most impressive players did against Liverpool.

Caballero: Chelsea "deserved" Liverpool victory

After racing into the lead against the Premier League champions before Cody Gakpo’s equaliser eventually pegged them back, the stage was set for Chelsea and teenage star Estevao Willian to steal the spotlight, and that he did. The talented Brazilian was perfectly placed to tap home at the back post to hand the Blues a major scalp against Liverpool in the 95th minute.

The last-gasp winner sent Stamford Bridge wild and even had Enzo Maresco doing his best impression of Jose Mourinho down the towards the corner flag. The moment led to the manager’s second booking and subsequent red, but he won’t care. Chelsea, having won two of their opening six Premier League games prior, may finally now have lift off.

Speaking in Maresca’s absence, assistant manager Willy Caballero claimed that Chelsea “deserved” to beat a lacklustre Liverpool side even if it came in dramatic fashion.

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The former shot-stopper told reporters: “He (Maresca) was so happy and wanted me to praise the players because of the effort they showed. We believe we deserved the victory after the chances we created and how we played. Thanks to our football and the effort of our players, we scored in the last seconds and got the three points.”

It’s hard to argue with that claim. The Blues were the ones pushing for a winning goal and got what they had been searching for against the Reds. Several stars deserve plenty of praise, but Hoddle was left in awe of what one particular star did in Saturday’s stunning victory.

Hoddle blown away by "excellent" Caicedo

Moises Caicedo has arguably been Chelsea’s most important player in the last 12 months. After a mixed start to life at Stamford Bridge, he has proven to be worth every penny of the £100m fee that the Blues paid for his signature in 2023 and is even beginning to add goals to his game.

After unleashing an incredible strike into the upright to open the scoring against Liverpool, Caicedo received high praise from club legend Hoddle, who said:

Caicedo is unlikely to hit a sweeter strike all season. Chelsea’s star just about summed up an afternoon for the Blues to savour and one that they must now push on from after the international break. As for the midfielder himself, he must simply just pick up where he left off.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is prepared to sell an “important” player who “goes under the radar”, with the Gunners looking to recuperate much-needed funds after a summer of serious spending.

Mikel Arteta’s side are widely expected to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title with Liverpool after splashing north of £250 million on eight key arrivals in Kepa, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie.

There’s been promising signs from a few of them already, perhaps most notably Madueke, who has showcased real improvement since joining Arsenal at both club and international level.

The former Chelsea star has already been tipped to end Gabriel Martinelli’s career in north London, amid uncertainty over the Brazilian’s long-term future.

Martinelli is attracting interest from AC Milan and a move in January is very much possible, according to reports, but the Gunners value him at around £60 million and suitors were only willing to go up to £40 million in the summer (CaughtOffside).

Arsenal could be set for major changes in the wide area following the arrival of Madueke and Eberechi Eze, who’s primarily viewed as a central playmaker but can operate on the wing.

Alongside Martinelli, Belgian winger Leandro Trossard has been linked with a move elsewhere, even after he put pen to paper on a non-extended new contract with improved salary terms.

The 30-year-old is a wonderful impact player on his day, but Arsenal are running out of time to make any money back off the winger’s sale as his deal expires in 2027, and reports last week even suggested that Besiktas held out-of-window talks to sign Trossard in a potential £19 million move.

While this ultimately didn’t go anywhere, ex-Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown says that Trossard’s exit is still likely in January or next summer.

Arsenal prepared to sell Leandro Trossard as replacement mooted

Speaking to Football Insider, Brown states he’s “heard” that Arsenal are prepared to sell Trossard if the right offer comes in — despite him being an “important” member of the squad.

During his time in N5, Trossard has scored some big goals at crucial times, and fired home an impressive 16 in all competitions across 2023/2024 in what was his best season at the Emirates to date — including four in the Champions League.

Trossard also racked up eight goals and eight assists in the Premier League alone last term, so while he’s not one of the mainstays on Arteta’s team sheet, the attacker could still have a significant role to play before Berta finally decides they have to sell.

Three players who came into Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) squad as injury replacements during IPL 2025 were part of their XI in their 12th match of the season, and two of the three made decisive contributions to all but end Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) playoffs hopes.Making his IPL debut, Urvil Patel got off the mark with a six, flicked effortlessly off Vaibhav Arora, and hit three more over the course of an 11-ball 31 that gave CSK vital early momentum in a chase of 180.That momentum didn’t seem to count for much, though, as CSK lost five wickets inside the powerplay. Then, after they had recovered somewhat, to 93 for 5 after ten overs, Dewald Brevis transformed the contest in the space of six balls, hitting Arora for 6, 4, 4, 6, 6, 4 in a 30-run 11th over to rush to his maiden IPL half-century off just 22 balls.Before that over, ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster had pegged KKR as 78.02% favourites. After that over, CSK were 78.05% favourites.The contest was in the balance once again when Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Brevis at the start of the 13th over, leaving CSK six down, but the situation – another 53 runs needed off 47 balls – was just right for the pair that now came together. It allowed MS Dhoni to take his time, and Shivam Dube to wait for his moments to show off his six-hitting range.Dube fell in the penultimate over, but not before he had brought CSK close enough for Dhoni to win it in almost-but-not-quite-vintage style: he hit the first ball of the last over for six, but left the winning hit to No. 10 Anshul Kamboj. But the win was set up by Noor Ahmad’s four-wicket burst after the powerplay. He got Sunil Narine and Angkrish Raghuvanshi within the space of three balls in the eighth over, before dismissing a dangerous-looking Andre Russell and Rinku Singh in the death overs.2:56

Have KKR missed a trick by not bowling Russell enough?

Before this game, CSK had gone on a run of 12 successive defeats in chases of 180-plus targets. They had now finally ended a streak that stretched back to 2020.That one Arora over to Brevis overturned what had till then been the perfect game for KKR on one of the most spin-friendly pitches of IPL 2025. KKR had batted first, maximised the powerplay, and found just enough muscle at the finish to make up for the slowdown against spin that the conditions almost mandated. Having set CSK a challenging target, they had taken out half their side in the powerplay. They had done almost everything they had needed to do.KKR are still not out of contention for the playoffs, with a fourth-place finish still mathematically possible if they can get to 15 points. That will require winning their last two matches, however, and a combination of other finishes going their way.

Brevis vs Arora

The 11th over of CSK’s innings wasn’t the best Arora has bowled. He tried to attack Brevis’ blockhole, but kept missing, serving up either half volleys or full tosses. It takes a special talent to put every error away, and Brevis is certainly a special talent, particularly gifted at hitting down the ground. The most remarkable of his shots came off a knuckleball full toss that he met well in front of his body, with his bottom hand off the handle, sending it flying 89m over long-on.All the carnage may not have happened at all had Raghuvanshi timed his jump a little better at long-off off the first ball of the over; Brevis hit it flat in his direction, and the overhead chance slipped between his hands and over the boundary.Dewald Brevis hit a one-handed six off Vaibhav Arora over long-on•BCCI

Rahane and Narine maximise the powerplay

Choosing to bat first, KKR probably knew they had to make the most of the powerplay, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz set the tone before becoming the first batter dismissed for 11 off nine balls. He hit a four and a six, swung hard and missed on numerous occasions, and then chipped one straight to midwicket.Narine and Ajinkya Rahane continued in that spirit, and took KKR to 67 for 1 at the six-over mark, hitting eight fours and two sixes between them during the powerplay. Neither looked in full control – Rahane survived a chance when a diving Matheesha Pathirana put him down at long leg – but both went hard at the bowling in this period. Narine, coming into this game having scored 118 off 48 balls against R Ashwin while only being dismissed once, took 14 runs off the offspinner in the fifth over.

Urvil lights up CSK’s eventful start

Ayush Mhatre, the other injury replacement in CSK’s line-up, fell for a duck off the second ball of the chase. That brought Urvil to the crease, and immediate life to CSK’s innings.Urvil had already hit one six when KKR gave Moeen the ball for the second over, presumably with the offspinner’s match-up against the left-handed Devon Conway in mind. But Moeen had to bowl to Urvil first, and that contest brought two leg-side sixes in three balls before Urvil took a single. Moeen bowled Conway immediately with a non-turning offbreak that slid between bat and pad.Urvil hit one more six, a flat-bat monster over wide long-on, before Harshit Rana dismissed him, getting him to edge another attempted big hit to short third. That pattern of CSK’s powerplay continued. Ashwin, promoted to No. 4, and Ravindra Jadeja, hit early boundaries too, but fell off their seventh and tenth balls, respectively. At the six-over mark, CSK were 62 for 5.Urvil Patel struck four sixes on his IPL debut•Getty Images

Brevis and Dube had steered them to the ten-over mark without further damage, but they had taken 34 balls to add 33 runs by that point, having exclusively faced Narine and Varun. Who knew what would come next?

Dube and Dhoni put CSK on their way

When Brevis fell in the 13th over, mis-hitting Varun to long-on, the match was far from over. Varun had five balls left to bowl, Narine had six, and Dhoni, before this game, had scored 60 off 111 balls, with six dismissals, of the two mystery spinners in T20s.But he could afford to take his time, and Dube could ration his risk-taking. He hit just three sixes, but all three were clinical: two straight hits off slower balls from Rana that landed in the slot, and a massive strike over the on side when Arora, having bowled a near-wide and a wide while attempting wide yorkers, straightened his line a touch too far in the 19th over.That brought the equation down to 10 off nine balls, and CSK were favourites, but Dube fell next ball, miscuing another big hit. When Noor holed out off the last ball of the 19th, CSK were left needing eight runs off the last over.With Dhoni on strike, though, Russell missed his length, sending down a full toss that disappeared over the midwicket boundary. Russell found the blockhole off the next two balls, and Dhoni, hitting both along the ground towards long-off, refused one single before taking the other to level the scores with three balls left.Kamboj only needed one ball, chipping over mid-on to put a wildly seesawing game to rest.

Last weekend, Arsenal were accused of not taking the handbrake off. Gabriel Martinelli was the hero as he rescued the Gunners a late 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

But, despite a positive result, the performance was not encouraging. Mikel Arteta’s men set up with a midfield three of Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice, something that meant the tactical make-up of the team was rather one-dimensional.

Against Newcastle United, however, the handbrake was well and truly off and they got what they deserved at St James’ Park, winning 2-1 in last-gasp fashion.

It was a story of three headers. Nick Woltemade, the Toon’s giant new striker, scored the opener but late strikes from Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes ensured that the north Londoners left a famously tough ground with all three points.

That victory means that Arteta’s side move within two points of Liverpool who lost to Crystal Palace in late fashion 24 hours earlier.

Arteta's tactical tweaks make the difference

Last weekend, the Gunners dominated the ball, boasting over 60% of possession, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resolute Man City backline.

Truth be told, chance creation has been one of the key issues for Arteta’s men but the team selection a week on certainly helped them in their quest to score more goals.

While it may have taken 84 minutes until Merino headed home having been introduced as a substitute, it was remarkable that Arsenal hadn’t scored before then.

Whatever you think of Viktor Gyokeres’ penalty decision, the visitors at St James’ could and perhaps should have scored three or four.

Eberechi Eze was denied superbly well, not once but twice, by Nick Pope in the first half who made excellent saves to his right and left-hand sides. Pope was again alert to keep a close-range header from Jurrien Timber at bay in the second half too.

Eze scored in midweek but this was perhaps his most telling performance in an Arsenal shirt since signing from Crystal Palace.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

With Martin Odegaard on the bench having only just returned from injury and Ethan Nwaneri omitted from the matchday squad, the Englishman featured in midfield and made a fantastic contribution.

Eze could have scored a couple and he did only generate one key pass but the pockets of space he was getting into and his willingness to shoot were a huge positive for Arteta. The fact he was playing close to Gyokeres also made a big difference.

Whether or not the summer arrival continues to play ahead of Odegaard remains to be seen but in the last two games, he’s certainly staked a claim to do so.

Regardless of Arteta’s most dynamic midfield selection on Sunday, it was still set plays that came to Arsenal’s rescue.

Rice’s inswinging ball from a short corner on the left found Merino who flicked a deft header beyond Pope.

The winning goal certainly wasn’t deft. Gabriel, who was weak and embarrassing for Woltemade’s opener, throwing himself to the floor, certainly didn’t shy away this time.

The Brazilian lept high among a sea of bodies in the 96th minute to meet Odegaard’s corner and head home in dramatic fashion, sparking wild celebrations among the Arsenal players.

What a moment this was for the Gunners but if we’re being brutal in our assessments of proceedings, they do need to make improvements.

That begins with one of their players of the season so far.

Arsenal's Player of the Season could be dropped

This has been a very difficult start to the new campaign for the Londoners who have been to Old Trafford, Anfield, St James’ Park and played Manchester City in their opening six league matches of the campaign.

The performances have been strong but they have not been without their issues. Gyokeres continues to float in and out of games, while Leandro Trossard hasn’t done a lot to convince while starting as a left winger in the last two matches.

In defence, however, it could be time for a change, most notably at left-back. Considering his injury history, Riccardo Calafiori has done well to play six league matches on the bounce.

In fairness, he’s had a really strong opening few weeks of the season, scoring against Manchester United on the opening weekend and registering two assists in the 5-0 win over Leeds United.

So good has the Italian been that one Gunners content creator has even described him as “Arsenal’s Player of the Season so far”. Fair words, really.

Yet, against Newcastle, Calafiori perhaps dropped his worst performance of the season to date, struggling at the back and failing to offer much going forward.

It said a lot that Arteta chose to bring him off at 70 minutes, instead preferring Myles Lewis-Skelly, a player who is certainly more composed in possession. That’s a change that could well be beneficial against West Ham United next week when Arteta’s side will be expected to create plenty of chances.

Lewis-Skelly coming into the team would certainly help with that. The clip below demonstrates his ability to carve open a team with his brilliant vision and passing.

While Cafafiori often resembles something of a raging bull in the final third, he’s not quite as precise. That precision would have been ideal against Newcastle on Sunday.

Minutes played

70

Touches

43

Accurate passes

22/27 (81%)

Key passes

1

Shots

2

Accurate crosses

1

Long balls completed

0/3

Duels won

0/2

Tackles

0

Interceptions

0

Fouls

1

Indeed, Calafiori only managed one key pass and had two shots off target. From a defensive point of view, he failed to win a single duel and only made one tackle.

While it wasn’t a dreadful display from the Italy international, it showed his limitations in particular game states. Lewis-Skelly, on the other hand, is particularly strong in the duel.

Last term, the teenager was only dribbled past once in the Premier League, the best record of any player to have made at least 15 starts. He also won six duels per 90 minutes, the most of any player in the league.

As a result, there’s certainly a case to be made for Calafiori to be benched for the visit of the Hammers next week.

ESPNcricinfo’s experts impressed by RCB’s collective match-winners, team depth, and steady contributions from all corners of their squad

ESPNcricinfo staff30-May-20252:24

Aaron: Different players have stepped up for RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) behind-the-scene efforts of shaking off their reputation of being reliant on “superstars” has paid off magnificently as a ninth Player-of-the-Match in Suyash Sharma secured their spot in the IPL 2025 final on Thursday evening.They’ve found match-winners in nearly every corner of the playing XII. New recruits and seasoned pros alike have delivered at different points, helping RCB find answers at every step. Varun Aaron, explained further, on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out.”At the end of the day, you’ve got to attribute it to eight [nine] players being man of the match throughout the season,” Aaron summed it up. “Because RCB have always been dominated by a few players, a few big batters, I would say, did a bulk of the lifting. But there was always talks about, after Virat Kohli, who’s the highest [Indian] run-scorer? Till last year, it was Rahul Dravid. This year, that has changed.”Phil Salt has come in, he’s played a really big hand. Devdutt Padikkal was instrumental in the first half. Now, you’ve got somebody like Jitesh Sharma standing up. Rajat Patidar is looking good, even from last game, though he didn’t get too many runs.POTM winners in IPL 2025

Krunal (KKR, DC)
Patidar (CSK, MI)
Salt (RR)
David (PBKS)
Kohli (PBKS)
Hazlewood (RR)
Shepherd (CSK)
Jitesh (LSG)
Suyash (PBKS)

“So, there are signs, and then Tim David comes in, plays brilliantly. Romario Shepherd, what an innings. So if you actually think about it, so many moments from RCB straightaway comes to mind that, you know what, everybody’s chipped in at different times, when they were down and out.”Obviously, Josh Hazlewood, huge addition. Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar] again today, brilliant. Krunal Pandya and Suyash, again, before the season, we were talking about their spin. ‘You know what, RCB don’t have the best spin attack,’ but their spinners have stood up better than anybody else.”Related

Giving up big names for big impact: RCB's reinvention pays off

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Hazlewood moves to No. 3 on Purple Cap table

Apart from different match-winners stepping up, Tom Moody was most impressed by the balance of the overall team.”I think their squad, and particularly their playing XI or XII that they’ve gone with throughout the whole season has been the big difference between previous years,” Moody said. “It’s a better balanced side, far better balanced side. It’s not top heavy. There’s opportunities for other players to have an impact in the game, where previously you look at RCB and it was always the top three and then you’re concerned about what follows that.”But you look at their side now, it’s just got a better balance to it. And their bowling attack, aside from the fact that they don’t have any sort of real mystery to their spin, but their spin has dovetailed nicely into the hard work that the pace bowlers have done.”RCB’s collective spirit has become their greatest strength this season, one that could be the key to ending their long IPL title drought on June 3 in Ahmedabad. As Aaron put it best: “It’s just a story of guys stepping up more than they have stepped up before.”

Chelsea finish for the international break with plenty to build on under Enzo Maresca, and they could now go big for a forward in January to bolster their striking ranks.

Chelsea rejoice after last-gasp winner vs Liverpool

Last week proved to be a significant one in West London, and plenty of pressure was on the shoulders of Maresca after winning once in five matches leading into the Blues’ double-header against Benfica and Liverpool.

On the face of it, the Italian can count himself slightly unfortunate to be under the spotlight after bringing two trophies to the club during his tenure so far. Nevertheless, the high demands at Stamford Bridge rest for nobody as Chelsea look to place themselves among the Premier League elite.

A tetchy 1-0 victory over Benfica came at the right time for Maresca, and he followed that up with an excellent 2-1 triumph over Liverpool to move his side into seventh, leading the former Manchester City assistant to a dismissal after enjoying wild celebrations with their support.

Stepping in after the match, his assistant Willy Caballero urged the Blues to take advantage of the international break to come back stronger once they are back in the capital.

He stated: “He’s OK (Maresca after red card). He’s so happy now. Of course, he cannot be here now but we are so happy that we achieved the three points in the last seconds. We are so happy and so proud. The players did a fantastic job. Now is a good break for many of them, and hopefully we can recover a few more players and start the new cycle of games with energy.”

After a brief wobble, things are looking up for Chelsea, and they could now be set to target a January move for one of the most prolific forwards in the top-flight.

Chelsea preparing bid for Antoine Semenyo

According to reports in Spain, Chelsea are preparing a bid worth around £78 million for Antoine Semenyo after his blistering start to the Premier League campaign at Bournemouth.

Moving to Stamford Bridge appeals to the Ghana international after publicly admitting he separates his Arsenal fandom from his job, and the Cherries may find it tough to resist the financial capital on offer despite his return of six goals and three assists in his opening seven top-flight appearances.

Related Gary Neville: Chelsea star "best" in Premier League and better than Arsenal ace

Neville has delivered his verdict.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Oct 5, 2025

Labelled a “special player” by Owen Hargreaves, Semenyo has created an impressive ten chances in the Premier League, per Fotmob, thriving on either flank or whether coming inside to provide a focal point for his teammates.

Semenyo’s rise in England

Transfermarkt Value

October 2022

€3m

October 2023

€9m

October 2024

€20m

October 2025

€40m

Chelsea are in the market for another attacker to mix experience with their youtful frontline. However, they are unlikely to be the only club interested in offering the 25-year-old a new challenge.

With the Blues pushing for the Champions League slots, Semenyo could well be the difference if he were to pitch up in West London.

One of the most outspoken critics of the national setup is Hugo Sánchez – arguably the greatest Mexican to ever play in Europe, a five-time Pichichi winner with Real Madrid. The legendary striker believes that Mexican federation leaders have halted the country’s football growth by withdrawing from Copa América and Copa Libertadores competitions.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Sánchez blames executives, not the players

  Mexico’s recent struggles with the senior team and the U20 squad’s elimination from the World Cup at the hands of Argentina have once again exposed the deep-rooted crisis in Mexican football. For Hugo Sánchez – regarded as the greatest player in the nation’s history – the blame lies not on the pitch but in the boardroom.

  “The focus is wrong. It’s not about the coach or the players; it’s about those who run the federation and the national team,” Sánchez said on ESPN. “The executives have made bad decisions, as they often do in Mexican football. We were competing at a high level when we played in Copa Libertadores, Copa América, and Copa Sudamericana. But they decided to step away, and that’s when our level started to drop.”

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• AFP
  

  Return to South American competitions?

  Mexico’s absence from South American competitions has stretched nearly a decade. The last time Liga MX clubs participated in the Copa Libertadores was in 2016, when Pumas, Toluca, and Puebla represented the country. Chivas and San Luis were the last Mexican sides to play in the Copa Sudamericana, back in 2008.

  Since then, Liga MX and MLS have joined forces in regional tournaments under CONCACAF's umbrella, competing in events such as the Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup – a move that, while financially successful, has also limited Mexican clubs’ exposure to South America’s highest level of competition.

• AFP
  

  No longer among top teams in Americas

  The former Real Madrid striker believes El Tri is no longer among the 10 best national teams in the Americas. He also questioned head coach Javier Aguirre’s confidence and the team’s mentality ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which Mexico will co-host alongside the United States and Canada.

  “The team doesn’t look convinced,” Sánchez added. “Aguirre seems unsure, and that insecurity shows on the pitch.”

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  What comes next?

  Despite the criticism, Mexico still has time to adjust before the World Cup. Following Tuesday’s friendly against Ecuador in Guadalajara, El Tri will face Paraguay and Uruguay in November, with potential high-profile clashes against France and Portugal in March, and a match against Argentina in June.

Graham Potter has been unveiled as Sweden’s new head coach on a short-term five-month deal – less than a month after being sacked by West Ham. The 50-year-old will oversee the team’s final World Cup qualifiers in November, with his contract extending if Sweden reach the playoffs or the tournament itself. The former Chelsea and Brighton boss has revealed that he was ‘humbled’ by Sweden opting to sign him.

Sweden officially sign Potter on short contract

Sweden have turned to Potter in a desperate bid to salvage their 2026 World Cup hopes. The English coach has signed an initial five-month contract, taking charge for November’s final qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovenia. Should the team progress to the playoffs, Potter’s deal will automatically extend to cover both the playoff campaign in March and, potentially, the World Cup next summer in North America.

Potter replaces Jon Dahl Tomasson, who was dismissed following a disastrous run that left Sweden bottom of Group B with just one point from four matches. A 1-0 defeat to Kosovo earlier this month proved the final straw, ending Tomasson’s brief and turbulent tenure as the national team’s first foreign head coach. Sweden’s only saving grace lies in their Nations League group finish, which could yet secure them a playoff spot despite their dismal qualifying record.

The appointment marks a surprise return to management for Potter, who only last month was relieved of his duties at West Ham after a poor start to the Premier League season. The Hammers suffered five defeats in their opening six games, leaving them in the relegation zone and prompting the club to part ways with the former Brighton and Chelsea boss. For Potter, the Sweden job represents a chance to rebuild his reputation in a country where he once thrived.

AdvertisementAFPPotter 'humbled' by Sweden assignment

“I am very humbled by the assignment, but also incredibly inspired,” said Potter after being confirmed as Sweden’s new manager. “Sweden has fantastic players who deliver in the world’s best leagues during the weeks. My job will be to create the conditions so that we as a team deliver at the highest level to take Sweden to the World Cup next summer.”

The chairman of the Swedish Football Association, Simon Astrom, praised Potter’s appointment and the quick turnaround in finding a replacement for Tomasson. “It is still our goal to get to the World Cup next summer,” he explained. “Our hope is to play the playoffs in March, and all the decisions we have made now have been based on optimizing the conditions to reach our goal. With Graham Potter, we get a strong and experienced leadership that has been tested at the absolute highest level.”

Kim Kallstrom, the Director of Football of the Swedish Football Association (SvFF), echoed that optimism. “It feels very good that Graham is coming in as the national team captain for the men’s national team,” Kallstrom said. “We are all aware of the situation we are in, and believe that with his leadership skills, he will bring the team together in a good way. He is tactically skilled at creating conditions to win matches and has an ability to identify players’ strengths and how they interact in the best way.”

Potter returns to Sweden after seven years

Potter’s appointment brings his managerial journey full circle, returning to the country where his career first took off. From 2011 to 2018, he led Ostersund from Sweden’s fourth division to the Allsvenskan, delivering three promotions in four years and even a domestic cup triumph in 2017. Under Potter, Ostersund earned a Europa League spot and famously defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates in 2018.

His success in Sweden propelled him into English football, where he impressed at Swansea City and Brighton before being handed the Chelsea job in 2022. However, his seven-month stint at Stamford Bridge was turbulent, as inconsistent performances and poor results led to his dismissal. He then took over at West Ham in January 2025, but a difficult start to the new Premier League campaign saw the Hammers lose five of six matches, ending his tenure after just eight months.

Despite those setbacks, Potter’s coaching credentials remain highly regarded, particularly his ability to build cohesive, intelligent teams. With a squad boasting elite-level players like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, Potter has the tools to engineer a turnaround if he can quickly instil belief and structure in the Swedish national team.

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Getty Images SportPotter’s first Sweden clash against Switzerland

Potter’s immediate challenge will be restoring confidence in a disjointed Swedish side that has struggled for consistency and creativity in recent months. With two crucial fixtures ahead – away to Switzerland on November 15 and at home to Slovenia three days later – his task is to secure results that keep their playoff dream alive. A minimum of four points could be enough to clinch a Nations League-based route to qualification, depending on other results.

Should Sweden reach the playoffs, Potter’s contract will automatically extend, offering a chance to guide the team into next summer’s World Cup and potentially secure a longer-term deal. For now, though, his focus remains firmly on two defining games that will shape both his comeback and Sweden’s fate. After a turbulent year in English football, Potter has found a new challenge – one that could rewrite his managerial story and revive Sweden’s fading World Cup dream.

MatériaMais Notícias

O lateral-direito Júnior Caiçara foi anunciado, nesta quarta-feira (30), e aproveitou a ocasião para falar da sua relação e torcida pelo Santos. Diante da oportunidade de defender o time de coração, o jogador se emocionou e contou a motivação de tirar o time da atual situação.

– Eu queria dizer que estou muito feliz. Dá até vontade de chorar hoje aqui. Eu vivi minha vida inteira fora do Brasil e vestir essa camisa significa muito para mim. Para minha mãe, meu pai e meus irmãos. Eu tenho certeza que tá todo muito feliz hoje. Quero agradecer o torcedor santista pela recepção calorosa que me deram. Sei o que significa esse momento para o Santos. Vou me doar ao máximo. Tem muita gente me cobrando por ficar esse período parado. Espero retribuir dentro de campo para tirar dessa situação o mais rápido possível – disse o novo reforço do Alvinegro Praiano.

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Sem jogar uma partida profissional desde janeiro, o atleta sofreu com uma lesão e um longo tempo de recuperação. Porém, Caiçara diz se sentir pronto fisicamente.

– Tive uma microcirurgia no meu tendão que eu precisava fazer. Estava jogando com dor, conversei com o Istanbul Basaksehir e optei pela cirurgia. Infelizmente fiquei um tempo longo parado. Trabalhei para estar pronto para esse momento. Sabia que Deus ia me honrar para hoje estar aqui. Quero contribuir e estar na expectativa do torcedor – declarou o jogador.

VEJA OUTRAS RESPOSTAS DE JÚNIOR CAIÇARA:

TRABALHO DO TREINADOR DO SANTOS

Diego tem mostrado um trabalho incrível mostrado dentro de campo contra o Grêmio e também no primeiro tempo contra o Atlético-MG. O time está muito bem e vai sair dessa situação o mais rápido possível

SONHO DE VESTIR A CAMISA DO SANTOS

(Eu sinto) um pouco de tudo. É um clube que eu sempre sonhei em jogar, eu cresci aqui e meus parentes todos são daqui. Vestir essa camisa significa muito, não só para mim. Qualquer jogador que vestir isso daqui tem que se sentir emocionado. O torcedor não merece passar pelo que está passando.

JOGA CONTRA O AMÉRICA-MG?

Eu poderia ter viajado para enfrentar o Athletico. Acredito que a comissão está feliz com o meu rendimento dentro de campo. Quando se tem um treinador inteligente isso acontece. Não adianta treinar só uma semana e chegar para jogar. Eu estava empolgado para ir e me sinto pronto para jogar. Espero poder estar em campo neste fim de semana, se o Diego deixar isso.

LESÃO E RECUPERAÇÃO

Eu estive trabalhando. Agradeço à Portuguesa Santista por abrir as portas para mim. Se não fosse isso, não estaria me sentindo tão bem quanto estou me sentindo para estar ajudando o Santos. Quem pode dizer isso é a comissão técnica. Acredito que, dentro daquilo que sempre joguei, me sinto pronto fisicamente. Para mim também é um momento muito especial na minha carreira.

CARACTERÍSTICAS DE JOGO

Eu me coloco como um lateral mais ofensivo, mas o futebol de hoje exige que o lateral trabalhe bem e venho evoluindo meu nível de futebol. Venho melhorando na defesa também, venho demonstrando isso na minha carreira. Espero que assim eu consiga ajudar o Santos.

PORQUE A CONTRATAÇÃO NÃO ACONTECEU ANTES

Na verdade eu não trabalho dentro do Santos. Eu sempre quis estar aqui. É a cereja do bolo da minha carreira. Eu acredito que os treinadores que estavam aqui achavam que meu futebol não se adequava ao estilo de jogo, acha que o diretor que estava aqui achava isso também. Queria estar aqui antes, mas hoje estou e estou feliz demais.

DIMINUIÇÃO DO TEMPO DE JOGO

Eu fiquei um período fora e quando eu voltei era o final da competição. Fiz uma boa pré-temporada, mas acabei sentindo um desconforto do outro que foi o que me impediu de jogar o meu melhor futebol. Graças a Deus estou trabalhando forte sem dor e sem nada.

SEMANA DE TESTES

Fiz várias ressonâncias magnéticas. Fiz trabalho na esteira e surpreendi o pessoal da fisiologia do Santos. A questão era só ganhar tempo de campo. Eu vejo no olhar dos jogadores que a gente sabe da importância desse momento. O trabalho está sendo intenso. Eu via de fora, como torcedor, e eu não via o Santos jogando bem. Agora, eu estou vendo diariamente o trabalho que está sendo feito e o pessoal está se dedicando ao máximo para tirar o Santos o mais rápido possível dessa situação, e tenho certeza que vai acontecer.

* Gabriel Teles sob supervisão de Sidney Daguano

With 456 runs to get, Essex are staring down the barrel of back-to-back defeats when they resume on day four

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 11-May-2025Adam Lyth’s patiently accumulated 185, and Jonny Bairstow’s typically belligerent half-century, set Essex an unlikely 520 to prevent Yorkshire chalking up their second Rothesay County Championship win of the season.Lyth’s second century of the spring, the 39th of his 18-year first-class career, spanned six hours and 41 minutes of determination and obduracy. The 37-year-old left-hander shared a 153-run second-wicket stand with James Wharton, who added 61 to his unbeaten 63 from the first innings, that underpinned Yorkshire’s 426 for 6 declared.The declaration was hastened by Bairstow’s 79 from74 balls that included three sixes and was part of a roller-coaster sixth-wicket stand of 99 with Matty Revis, who contributed 37 off 32 balls. The only consolation for Essex’s dispirited fielders who circled the boundary by the end, were career-best bowling figures of 3 for 96 for young seamer Noah Thain.The sense of gathering despair continued when Essex batted. They lost four wickets in the 27 overs that remained in the day in the face of some accurate seam bowling from Jack White, who took 3 for 17. Essex eked out 64 runs by the close but, with 456 to win, are staring down the barrel of back-to-back defeats when they resume on day four.Essex’s hopes of batting out nearly four sessions became considerably harder when White got a delivery to jump up around Dean Elgar’s adam’s apple as early as the second over and it was fended off into third slip’s hands.George Hill followed up his six-wicket haul from the first innings by trapping Tom Westley lbw with only his fourth delivery in the second. And next over Charlie Allison drove White uppishly to a tumbling mid-off while Robin Das nudged one to first slip.With Sam Cook rested in light of his potential England debut against Zimbabwe later this month, the Essex attack had lacked penetration. Lyth took advantage and swept Simon Harmer for his 13th boundary to reach three figures in just under four hours at the crease, having faced 196 balls. Another sweep off the same bowler brought up the century stand, also from 196 balls.The partnership might have been parted just before then when Wharton pulled Kasun Rajitha to square leg where Elgar put down the opportunity. Wharton took advantage and reached a 104-ball fifty with a six and a four, both to cow corner, during an over from Matt Critchley.The partnership was eventually broken when Wharton became Harmer’s first wicket of the game, after 38 overs of toil, as the ball was lofted halfway to the boundary. The loss of his long-time partner did not inconvenience Lyth, who pulled Thain into the pavilion for six and reached 150 from 237 balls.Jonny Tattersall helped put on 72 for the third wicket before he took a wild swing at Thain, the ball steepling so high that the bowler had time to amble down towards the batter’s crease to complete the catch.Lyth’s innings finally ended after 287 balls, 23 fours and that six, when he played a loose, uppish drive to wide mid-off to give Thain his third wicket.Critchley then claimed his 200th first-class career wicket when Hill chased one outside off-stump and was held at slip.Bairstow, dropped on five by slip that would have enhanced Thain’s analysis, played an unorthodox reverse sweep-cum-pull that sent a delivery from Critchley for six over point. With the declaration looming, Bairstow and Revis rattled off 29 runs in a 14-ball spree before the captain raced past his second half-century of the season with two sixes in the last over before tea from Shane Snater that also included a ramped four.Yorkshire batted on for 14 balls after tea before Bairstow holed out to long-on and immediately called a halt to proceedings.