Soccer

GRAHAM POTTER has opened up on his Chelsea exit and admits Taylor Swift helped him get over the brutal sacking.The 49-year-old left Brighton for Stamford Bridge two years ago when Thomas Tuchel was axed by Todd Boehly just seven games into the season.Graham Potter has opened up on his brutal Chelsea sackingCredit: GettyThe gaffer admits Taylor Swift helped to ease the painCredit: The Mega AgencyChelsea forked out a world-record £21.5million to hire Potter and his backroom team.But the English tactician struggled to impress as Blues chiefs embarked on a fresh £300million transfer splurge in the January window.Potter ended up winning just 12 of his 31 games at the helm and was sacked in April 2023 with Chelsea in 11th place.He has since kept a low profile after being linked with several jobs including French side Nice and even Manchester United.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Potter has now returned to the limelight by revealing how he coped with his Stamford Bridge exit.He admits watching pop sensation Swift was one way he eased the pain.While Potter also spent some time with England rugby boss Steve Borthwick.And the gaffer has even dropped a huge hint over his next job in football after taking up a new hobby.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPotter told The Telegraph: “It’s a bit like a grieving process in a way, it gets better with time. You have to try not to beat yourself up, but you can’t just blame everything on somebody else. “I was sacked after seven months of a five-year contract after being taken from Brighton, so there’s all that on a human level you have to deal with.Chelsea player ratings from 5-0 win over BarrowPotter spent time with England rugby boss Steve BorthwickCredit: GettyHe also opened up on potentially replacing Lee Carsley as England bossCredit: Alamy“I don’t have any regrets over doing it, but, at the same time, when anybody loses their job, there’s an element of frustration, anger and maybe bitterness at some point.“The most important thing was to be with my family and friends, just connect with them. “I spent some time with Steve Borthwick at England rugby. I went to the US and saw some sports over there, some organisations. “I went to the Falklands and did a leadership talk, and, much to the horror of my 14-year-old boy, I went to see Taylor Swift in concert. He’s not as much of a fan as me.”Potter also hinted his next job could be in LaLiga after taking Spanish lessons.He added: “As the brain gets a bit older it’s not easy to do. I needed to create routines in my life and when I was off, part of it was the gym and part of it was Spanish lessons.“I had a tutor. I’ve had a bit of a break from that now, but I’m doing the apps and studying.“I’ll see how that goes over the next few weeks, months, see what happens work-wise. It’s more for the brain and to learn a language.”However, Potter doesn’t seem overly keen on taking the England job should interim Lee Carsley not get it permanently.He added: “I like the day-to-day and the building process of club management. READ MORE SUN STORIES“International management is a different rhythm and there are pluses for that. It’s more intense when it’s on, but you’ve got a bit more breathing space in between. “It’s nothing that I’ve ruled out, but at the same time I do like the day-to-day bit of working with the players and being in at the club and trying to build and make a difference.” More

A PREMIER LEAGUE title winner is set to make a drastic career change away from football.The ex-defender retired in 2017 and has since worked as a coach within the England set-up.A former Premier League title winner is hoping to become a DJCredit: GettyHowever, he has now revealed he hopes to become a DJ after falling in love with the buzz it gives him.The former Three Lions star even admitted “it’s the closest thing I have to playing” as he opened up on his new passion.After a handful of gigs over the summer, he is still training on the decks in his hopes of launching the new career.The wannabe disc jockey is none other than former Manchester City man Joleon Lescott.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe was asked about pursuing a DJing career by Gary Lineker during an appearance on the Rest is Football podcast.Lescott explained: “Yeah, that is a thing, real ambition to do.”I had some gigs in the summer but when you get this call from a friend who says ‘do you want to be part of the England set-up?’ I kind of had to park it.”But, yeah, I still train. It’s the closest thing I have to playing, in terms of the feeling it gives me.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAs for the genre of music he plays, the 42-year-old added: “House now, like deep house and stuff.”So, you kind of have to recognise what most of the younger generation listen to.Exclusive: Lescott tips Guardiola to follow Klopp’s lead when he leaves Man City despite links with vacant England jobJoleon Lescott won two Premier League titles with Manchester CityCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdHe is now part of Lee Carsley’s England coaching teamCredit: Getty”I grew up on garage but there’s not many people listening to that now.”Lescott won two Premier League titles with City as well as an FA Cup and League Cup during five years at the Etihad Stadium.He also won 26 caps for the Three Lions, with his only international goal coming at Euro 2012.The centre-back retired aged 34 in 2017 following spells with West Brom, Aston Villa, AEK Athens and Sunderland.Lescott has since gone on to join former Everton team-mate Lee Carsley’s England coaching team as assistant manager.He first worked with his under-21 side, joining in 2022 and winning the Euros a year later.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, Lescott stepped up to the senior side with Carsley in August after he was named interim manager.The pair teamed up earlier this month for the Nations League wins over Ireland and Finland.Lescott won 26 caps for the Three Lions and scored at Euro 2012Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

BUKAYO SAKA could set a new Premier League record when Arsenal face Leicester City on Saturday.The 23-year-old has enjoyed a great season so far with the Gunners, providing six goal contributions in five league games.Bukayo Saka could set a new Premier League record this weekendCredit: GettyThe winger matched a record set by Thierry Henry last weekend by assisting five goals in the first five Prem games of the seasonCredit: GettyHe became just the second player in Prem history to register five assists in the first five games of a campaign last weekend against Manchester City, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry the only other player to achieve the feat.But he could go one better this weekend by becoming the first person to manage six assists in the first six games.The Gunners face Leicester at home on Saturday, so Saka could fancy his chances – especially given Arsenal have not lost to the Foxes in four years.Speaking ahead of the match, Leicester boss Steve Cooper admitted Arsenal will provide the “toughest” test for his team so far.Read More in FootballHe said: “They’re an incredible team who have been in great form for a number of years. They’ve been challenging for trophies.”We’re coming up against a really tough opponent. It’s these games that you have to embrace and not fear failure.”That’s what we want to do, to back ourselves. We want to go for it.”Leicester are yet to win a Premier League match this season.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Foxes currently sit 15th in the table with three points from five games.Meanwhile, Arsenal are yet to taste defeat.Man Utd legend Roy Keane blasts Arsenal as ‘small team with small mentality’ in furious rant at Ian WrightThe Gunners are fourth with 11 points from three wins and two draws.They also progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday with a 5-1 win over Bolton.Arsenal player ratings vs BoltonETHAN NWANERI will remember this night for the rest of his life after scoring twice on his full Arsenal debut.The Gunners eased to a 5-1 victory over Bolton in the Carabao Cup third round.See how their players, young and old, rated at the Emirates.Jack Porter – 6He may be 16 years old but he did not show it tonight. Had one scare when his pass was blocked by Aaron Collins and the ball flew over but other than that he did not put a foot wrong.Josh Nichols – 6Encouraging signs from the right-back although he was not really tested in a defensive capacity.Jakub Kiwior – 6Dealt with Bolton’s many crosses into the box but was far too high up the pitch, along with Calafiori, which allowed the visitors to break and score.Riccardo Calafiori – 7A Rolls-Royce defender who carries himself a bit like David Luiz, minus the erratic decision-making. Defended well and went close with a long shot.Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7Looked very comfortable in possession and saw plenty of the ball. Excellent composure for a young head and linked with Sterling well.Jorginho – 6Kept things ticking over but in truth it was quite an easy night for the Italian.Declan Rice – 7Took his goal very well and everything Arsenal did went through him.Ethan Nwaneri – 9A night to remember for the 17-year-old as he capped his first start for the club with his first goals. Showed great poaching instincts.Bukayo Saka – 9Typical Saka performance and he was a constant threat with his delivery, whether in open play or from corners.Raheem Sterling – 9A threat throughout and he is back playing with a smile on his face, which is great to see. Worked hard and got his deserved goal when he poked in from two yards out.Gabriel Jesus – 5Plenty of energy and panache up front but without the finishing to match – a familiar tale of his Arsenal career.See how the Arsenal subs rated here More

A FORMER Arsenal star was brutally snubbed from Crystal Palace’s team photo and banished to the youth side in mysterious circumstances.Oliver Glasner appears to be taking no prisoners as the Eagles lined up for their annual squad snap.Crystal Palace left a former Arsenal star out of their new team photoIn a brilliant shot, players from both the men’s and women’s team lined up together for the special moment.Palace made seven first-team signings this summer.And each one was included in the bonding session this week.Goalie Matt Turner and defenders Trevoh Chalobah, Maxence Lacroix and Chadi Riad are all hoping to make an impact.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile further up the field, Palace have reinforced with Daichi Kamada, Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah.The latter arrived in an initial £25million move from Arsenal.But Nketiah has been unable to link up with a former Gunners teammate, who was not in the team photo after being dropped to the youth side.Defender Rob Holding, 29, was a £4m signing from north London last summer.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe two-time FA Cup winner was seen as a bit of a coup for ex-Palace boss Roy Hodgson.But Holding failed to make one single league appearance for his new side.Marc Guehi shows off his skills in training with Crystal Palace Rob Holding has failed to make a single league appearance since last year’s transferCredit: GettyAnd his only game came in the Carabao Cup.However, Holding has failed to impress Glasner too.And after being demoted to the U23s, who he’s already turned out for in the EFL Trophy, Holding no longer has a future at Selhurst Park.Glasner reportedly informed the defender to find a new club during the summer, with Holding receiving no offers.And last month, Palace’s boss confirmed that Holding is not in his future plans.Glasner said: “He knows the reason. But it is something that stays between Rob and me. Nothing public.” More