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    Man Utd verdict: Ten Hag’s troops could face Barcelona or Juventus in last-32… or an emotional trip to Ajax

    ERIK TEN HAG could be handed a nightmare play-off tie against Barcelona after Manchester United failed to qualify top of their Europa League group.An emotional return to Ajax is also on the cards.
    Erik ten Hag failed to guide Manchester United to top of their Europa League groupCredit: Getty
    United fell a goal short of a bye through to the Europa League last 16 in Thursday’s 1-0 win against Real Sociedad.
    Instead a play-off tie to reach that stage against one of the eight sides to have dropped down from the Champions League awaits.
    So not only do Ten Hag’s troops have two extra games in an already hectic schedule, a tough test against one of Europe’s big hitters is also on the cards.
    Here SunSport runs through the eight teams Ten Hag and Co could face in a daunting play-off, which IS scheduled to take place in February.
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    Man Utd will find out who they face in a draw on Monday.
    Barcelona
    The Red Devils and Barcelona have faced off plenty of times in the Champions League, but could find themselves pitted against each other in Europe’s second-tier competition.
    The Spaniards are still rebuilding under Xavi and while they only won two of their Champions League group games, 10 wins out of 12 in La Liga proves they are still a formidable opponent.
    But it might finally give United fans the chance to see Frenkie de Jong play at Old Trafford.
    Frenkie de Jong could play at Old Trafford this season… for BarcelonaCredit: Reuters
    Ajax
    Ten Hag’s old side Ajax failed to qualify from a tricky Champions League group that included Napoli and Liverpool.
    The Dutch champions may have shipped 15 goals in four games against the high-flying Italians and the Reds, but are sure to raise their game if pitted against former gaffer Ten Hag.
    Ten Hag could be handed an emotional reunion with AjaxCredit: Alamy
    Sporting Lisbon
    Ten Hag isn’t the only one who could be handed an emotional tie.
    Cristiano Ronaldo’s former club, Sporting Lisbon, are another possible opponent.
    And the Portuguese outfit are no pushovers having taken four points off Tottenham in the Champions League group stages, and boast the talented Marcus Edwards in their ranks.
    Marcus Edwards and Sporting Lisbon would be an awkward tie for UnitedCredit: Getty
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    Juventus
    Another of Ronaldo’s old employers who could be drawn out of the hat.
    Although at this moment in time Sporting are probably the tougher opponents.
    The Italian side lost five out of their six Champions League group games, and are struggling down in seventh place in Serie A.
    Out of form Juventus are a potential opponentCredit: Reuters
    Sevilla
    The Spaniards are currently rebuilding under new manager Jorge Sampaoli, who only took over at the start of last month.
    But the Spaniards are Europa League specialists, winning the tournament in four out of the last nine seasons.
    They have also beaten United in two of the previous three meetings between the teams, including the 2020 Europa League semi-final.
    Europa League specialists Sevilla could be drawn out of the hatCredit: Alamy
    Bayer Leverkusen
    A disappointing Champions League campaign saw the German side fail to reach the knockouts behind Porto and Club Brugge.
    But Xabi Alonso’s side did beat Atletico Madrid at home and draw with the Spaniards away, so while they are a favourable opponent they are by no means pushovers.
    Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen failed to qualify for the Champions League knockoutsCredit: EPA
    RB Salzburg
    RB Salzburg knocked on the door of the Champions League knockouts until defeat to AC Milan in the final group game sent them down into the Europa League.
    But the Austrian outfit did hold Chelsea to a draw at Stamford Bridge to prove they’ve got what it takes to cause top opposition problems.
    RB Salzburg couldn’t capitalise on their impressive draw against ChelseaCredit: Getty
    Shakhtar Donetsk
    The Ukrainian side are arguably the easiest of United’s eight possible opponents.
    But, if drawn against them, the Red Devils will have to be wary of £87million Arsenal target Mykhaylo Mudryk.
    The 21-year-old sensation scored three goals and provided three assists during the Champions League group stages, and will be desperate to prove he can perform against Premier League opposition.
    The Red Devils could be drawn against danger man Mykhaylo MudrykCredit: Getty More

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    Champions League wonderkid Khvicha Kvaratskhelia reveals surprise idol growing up in Georgia

    NAPOLI wonderkid Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has revealed his surprise idol growing up in Georgia.That’s after taking Serie A and the Champions League by storm this season.
    Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has revealed his surprise football idol growing upCredit: Getty
    Kvaratskhelia, 21, is Europe’s top new talent after joining Napoli from Dinamo Batumi over the summer.
    Costing just £8.5million, the exciting winger has eight goals and 10 assists in 17 games this season.
    Napoli are already top of Serie A by five points, while also qualifying for the Champions League last-16 with ease.
    Manchester City are already thought to be interested in a deal for Kvaratskhelia.
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    And Chelsea have also been linked with a move that could reach as much as £86m.
    The versatile forward has now revealed that Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is his role model.
    But growing up as a kid in Georgia, his “first love” in the beautiful game was Real Madrid legend Guti.
    The Spanish midfielder played 542 times for Los Blancos up until 2010, winning five titles and three Champions Leagues.
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    And Kvaratskhelia admits Guti was by far his No1 icon while learning how to become a top footballer.
    The ace told Corriere dello Sport: “Cristiano Ronaldo [is my role model]. Even though my first love was Guti from Real Madrid.
    “When I played with friends in Tbilisi, my city, we wore white shirts. I wrote his name on my back.”
    Kvaratskhelia has also been compared with Man Utd and Northern Ireland legend George Best.
    But the youngster admits he has a long way to go before reaching those levels, and simply wants to be his own man.
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    Kvaratskhelia added: “I don’t pay too much attention to these things and I think it’s very difficult to reach these levels.
    “Let’s say that I want to reach my level, I’m working for myself.”
    Kvaratskhelia was a big fan of Real Madrid legend Guti while growing up in GeorgiaCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

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    Champions League breakthrough XI including Arsenal target Mudryk, Kvaratskhelia and goalkeeper linked to Man Utd

    A THRILLING Champions League group stage has reached its conclusion – and some stars have been born. Club football is preparing to hold its breath for the Winter World Cup, leaving Europe’s finest competition to wrap up in just nine weeks.
    Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been one of the stars of Europe so farCredit: Getty
    Fans of England’s big clubs will be biting their nails ahead of Monday’s crucial Champions League Last 16 draw as they find out who their team will play.
    Despite the shortened group stage schedule, there was still plenty of quality on show throughout the early rounds of this tournament.
    While established stars like Lionel Messi and Mo Salah frequently grabbed headlines, lesser-known talents also emerged from the group stage.
    SunSport has put together an XI of the breakthrough talent that we have seen in this season’s Champions League…
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    Goalkeeper
    Porto keeper Diogo Costa was being linked with a move to Manchester United even before his heroics against Bayer Leverkusen.
    The goalie became the first in Champions League history to register an assist and save a penalty in the same game. It was the high point of a solid tournament for Costa as Porto topped Group B.
    Defence
    He may have only started one game, but Rico Lewis’ performance at right-back for Manchester City last night has got many excited.
    The 17-year-old has already earned comparisons to teammate Joao Cancelo and could have a big future ahead if last night’s adventurous performance against Sevilla was anything to go by.
    At left-back is Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, who can play both at full-back and at the heart of defence.
    Fantastic individual performances have seen these players raise their profile in Europe
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    The 20-year-old prospect has demonstrated brilliant ball-control and quick footwork across a string of impressive Champions League performances.
    Benfica’s centre-back prodigy Antonio Silva slots in at the back after an impressive showing.
    The 19-year-old helped fend off PSG’s attacking talents twice to help Benfica land two draws against the French side and top spot in the group.
    He is joined at centre-back by Red Bull’s Salzburg’s Strahinja Pavlovic.
    The no-nonsense defender is old school but effective and has been dominant in the air throughout his six appearances in the competition.
    Midfield
    Marcus Edwards got a dream return to boyhood club Spurs and showed them what they were missingCredit: Getty
    Club Brugge’s Champions League performance stunned everyone as they managed to get into the knock-out stages.
    Key to that was midfielder Raphael Onyedika, with the talented Nigerian shielding his defence with aplomb.
    Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott also had a Champions League group stage to remember as he scored away at Rangers and Ajax.
    The young midfielder’s energetic and all-action displays regularly gave Jurgen Klopp’s team the boost it needed.
    And Sporting Lisbon’s Marcus Edwards completes the trio after a few dazzling European performances.
    The former Spurs youth player scored a stunning goal on his return to North London and likely has caught the interest of bigger team.
    Attack
    Mykhaylo Mudryk is being watched by big clubs after his performances for ShakhtarCredit: Getty
    There was already significant interest in Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk before his outstanding Champions League appearances.
    He scored three goals in six games as the Ukrainian side tried but failed to get out of a difficult group.
    Equally impressive was Napoli’s flying winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
    The 21-year-old Georgian has emerged from nowhere to become one of the most exciting players in Europe, and he registered two goals in his campaign.
    His club mate Giacomo Raspadori meanwhile has scored four goals already as Napoli tore through Group A.
    The striker, signed from Sassuolo, has proven to be a star already and will likely be one to watch in the latter stages of the tournament. More

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    Carlo Ancelotti joins Sir Alex Ferguson to have the most Champions League wins as a manager of all-time

    CARLO ANCELOTTI has joined legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to have the most Champions League wins as a manager.The Italian, 63, has won Europe’s top club competition four times – which is a record in itself.
    Top-ten managers with the most Champions League wins
    Carlo Ancelotti has won 102 Champions League games as a managerCredit: Getty
    The Italian has drawn level with FergusonCredit: Getty
    But after Champions League holders Real Madrid beat Celtic 5-1 at the Bernabeu, Ancelotti reached another impressive milestone.
    He has equalled legendary United boss Ferguson, who has won the Champions League twice, to hold the most victories as a manager in the competition with 102.
    The win over Celtic pushed Ancelotti meant the Italian has reached the milestone in five fewer matches than Sir Alex.
    Ferguson’s last Champions League win came on November 7, 2012, 3-1 at Braga.
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    Ancelotti would like to reach 200 UCL wins before he retires.
    Speaking last year the ex-Everton boss said: “Let’s go for the 200. Happy to do it here at Madrid!
    “It’s been a lot of games on the bench. I think I’ve done pretty well.”
    Whether Ancelotti holds onto the record for a long period of time is yet to be seen.
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    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is just five wins away from drawing level with Ancelotti and Ferguson.
    The Spaniard has won the competition twice as a manager and has reached 97 wins in just 154 games.
    Retired legendary Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will occupy fourth for the meantime.
    In 33 fewer games, two-time lifter of Old Big Ears Jose Mourinho is just five wins behind his old rival on 81 wins.
    But the Special One is currently managing Europa League outfit Roma.
    He is, however, the first and ONLY manager to win all of Uefa’s club competitions after storming the Europa Conference League last term.
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    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, Dutch manager Louis van Gaal, Rafa Benitez, Ottmar Hitzfeld, Diego Simeone and Massimiliano Allegri make up the rest of the top ten.
    But those five bosses remain 23 wins or more adrift Mourinho and Co. More

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    Liverpool face nightmare Champions League last-16 draw… with Bayern and a reunion with Sadio Mane the most likely tie

    LIVERPOOL have put themselves in a worrying position ahead of the Champions League knockout stages.Jurgen Klopp’s men finished their group with a 2-0 win over Napoli at Anfield on Tuesday evening.
    Klopp’s side face a nightmare draw in the last 16 of the Champions LeagueCredit: Alamy
    Napoli’s 4-1 win over Liverpool proved vital in seeing them finish above the RedsCredit: Reuters

    But that could not prevent them from coming second behind the Serie A side as Napoli’s 4-1 win over the Reds back in September saw them end with the better head-to-head record.
    It means Liverpool will now have to face a group winner in the second round as Europe’s giants prepare for the Champions League draw on Monday, November 7.
    They cannot be drawn against Napoli as they were in the same group.
    And it is also not possible for Klopp’s men to face an English side – which rules out Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea.
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    So this leaves just four options for Liverpool as they look to progress through to a fourth Champions League final in five years.
    Those options are Porto, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Benfica.
    But the most likely opponent for Liverpool is German champions Bayern.
    This is because Julian Nagelsmann’s side also have just four possible options in the last 16.
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    Bayern cannot come up against Eintracht Frankfurt, RB Leipzig or Borussia Dortmund as they are fellow Bundesliga clubs.
    And Inter Milan are also unable to face them as they were in their group.
    This leaves Bayern with just Liverpool, Club Brugge, AC Milan or Paris Saint-Germain as potential opponents.

    According to the Bayern Forum, all this adds up to give Bayern and Liverpool a 37 per cent chance of meeting in the last 16.
    That is the highest percentage chance of any two sides meeting in the second round of this year’s competition.
    Liverpool’s chances of meeting Real Madrid are put at 21 per cent, while Porto and Benfica are at 20 per cent.
    However, the good news for Liverpool is they have never lost to Bayern in Europe.
    The two sides met in the semi-finals back in 1981, drawing both legs as Liverpool won on away goals.
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    And they then met for a second tie in 2019, drawing 0-0 at Anfield before the Reds won 3-1 in Germany on their way to a sixth European crown.
    Both Liverpool and Bayern have been champions six times in their history, with only Real Madrid and AC Milan lifting the trophy on more occasions. More

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    Champions League top scorers 2022/23: Who is currently leading the race?

    THERE’S only one thing forwards dream about other than securing a Champions League medal for their club – and that’s to be the top goalscorer.Well, Karim Benzema did both last season as the Frenchman’s 15 goals secured the golden boot as well as contributed to Real Madrid’s 14th triumph in club football’s top-tier competition.
    Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid to secure their 14th Champions League triumphCredit: The Times
    However, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner has failed to register a single goal throughout the entire group stage.
    And instead, it’s his French compatriot who leads the race after the group stages, alongside one of England’s most prolific forwards in recent years.
    Who scored this week in the Champions League?
    Kylian Mbappe’s sublime opener against Italian giants Juventus saw him end the group stages in top spot.
    However, tied with the French international is Mohamed Salah who grabbed a late goal in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Napoli.
    Erling Haaland was unable to add to his tally as Pep Guardiola decided to rest him.
    And Barcelona being eliminated out of the competition means that Robert Lewandowski will not be challenging for the top scorers award this season.
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    Champions League top scorers 2022/23
    As of Thursday, November 3
    Kylian Mbappe (PSG) – 7
    Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 7
    Erling Haaland (Man City) – 5
    Mehdi Taremi (Porto) – 5
    Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 5
    Lionel Messi (PSG) – 4
    Leroy Sane (Bayern) – 4
    Jude Bellingham (Dortmund) – 4
    Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli) – 4
    Giovanni Simeone (Napoli) – 4
    Mohammed Kudus (Ajax) – 4
    Noah Okafor (Salzburg) – 3
    Mykhaylo Mudryk (Shakhtar) – 3
    Sadio Mane (Bayern) – 3
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    Who has previously won the Champions League top scorer award?
    Cristiano Ronaldo leads the way for the amount of top scorer awards won having clinched it SEVEN times, while Lionel Messi is close behind with six.
    Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have 13 top scorer awards between themCredit: AFP or licensors

    2021/22: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) – 15
    2020/21: Erling Haaland (Dortmund) – 10
    2019/20: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern) – 15
    2018/19: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 12
    2017/18: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 15
    2016/17: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 12
    2015/16: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 16
    2014/15: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Neymar (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 10
    2013/14: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 17
    2012/13: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 12
    2011/12: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 14
    2010/11: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 12
    2009/10: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 8
    2008/09: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 9
    2007/08: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) – 8
    2006/07: Kaká (AC Milan) – 10
    2005/06: Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan) – 9
    2004/05: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) – 8
    2003/04: Fernando Morientes (Monaco) – 9
    2002/03: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) – 12
    2001/02: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) – 10
    2000/01: Raúl González (Real Madrid) – 7
    1999/2000: Mário Jardel (Porto), Rivaldo (Barcelona), Raúl González (Real Madrid) – 10
    1998/99: Andriy Shevchenko (Dynamo Kyiv), Dwight Yorke (Manchester United) – 8
    1997/98: Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) – 10
    1996/97: Milinko Pantić (Atlético Madrid) – 5
    1995/96: Jari Litmanen (Ajax) – 9
    1994/95: George Weah (Paris Saint-Germain) – 7
    1993/94: Hristo Stoichkov (Barcelona) – 5
    1992/93: Franck Sauzée (Marseille) – 5

    What did Karim Benzema win for being Champions League top goalscorer?
    French forward Karim Benzema’s 15 goals contributed to Real Madrid winning the Champions League last season.
    Benzema won UEFA Men’s Player of the Year while Ancelotti secured best coachCredit: EPA
    And it also was a big factor in him being named the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award.
    After collecting his award, Benzema said: I’m really happy,
    “It’s the first time I’ve won this trophy but for me the most important thing is to win trophies with the team.
    “Mr Ancelotti is the best coach in the world; he gets it right with every player, he gives us confidence and he tells you what to do before every match.” More

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    Chelsea verdict: Graham Potter finally puts round pegs in round holes in Zagreb win… but don’t bank on it vs Arsenal

    PUTTING round pegs in round holes paid off for Graham Potter. I mean, who knew?
    Graham Potter got things spot on as Chelsea dominated against ZagrebCredit: Reuters
    The Chelsea boss picked the right players in the right formation and – lo and behold – his team were able, for spells at least, to control a match for the first time since AC Milan went down to 10 men nearly a month before.
    Potter is the Blues’ new Tinkerman so you can bet midfield diamonds won’t be forever and he’ll try something different against Arsenal on Sunday.
    But this Champions League dead rubber could do him and his team the power of good.
    Even Chelsea’s forgotten man scored.
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    No, not Denis Zakaria, although the on-loan midfielder did find the net in his first appearance since arriving on loan from Juventus.
    If anyone needed a goal it was Raheem Sterling and the England forward’s equaliser was timely for him and for Chelsea.
    It was tempting to fear the worst for the Blues when Zagreb took the lead inside seven minutes.
    But that wasn’t the result of a system failure, just bad defending.
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    Once the home side recovered from the shock, they had the distinct shape and style that had been lacking in the disastrous first half at Brighton and the first 35 minutes of the draw with Manchester United.
    Sterling looked far more comfortable playing up top alongside Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang than he had as a kind of wing-back in Salzburg and Brighton.
    Yes, he skied a chance to double his tally, and he was nowhere near his brilliant best.
    But his first goal since Potter’s first game and a return to a more familiar role will be a confidence booster.
    Apart from the early goal, Chelsea mostly looked solid at the back with a four-man defence.
    Potter is the Blues’ new Tinkerman.Dan King
    They were compact in midfield, rather than being overrun as they had been at the Amex.
    Zakaria did enough to suggest he can be an asset in this most congested of seasons, although he went off injured with 20 minutes to go. 
    And the Blues looked lively and dangerous in attack at times. Victory could have been by a greater margin.
    Dinamo were not great, it has to be said.
    But don’t forget it was the defeat in Zagreb that proved to be the last game of Thomas Tuchel’s reign and the Croatian side did not lie down in the second half.
    Potter’s tactical flexibility and imagination was undoubtedly one of the reasons Chelsea went for him: could he find a way of getting more out of a squad that had just undergone the most expensive revamp in football history?
    This felt like a step in the right direction.
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    But table-topping Arsenal and their front-foot approach will be a different challenge.
    After escaping punishment for a tactical misjudgment against United, but not against Brighton, Potter needs to get it right from the start again on Sunday. More

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    Ben Chilwell facing World Cup heartbreak as Chelsea defender suffers hamstring injury vs Zagreb in huge England blow

    BEN CHILWELL’S World Cup dream with England looks to be over after the left-back appeared to pull his hamstring while in action for Chelsea.The 25-year-old pulled up and collapsed to the floor in injury-time at the end of Chelsea’s dead-rubber 2-1 win against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
    Ben Chilwell pulled up in injury time against Dinamo ZagrebCredit: AFP
    Chilwell clutches his left hamstring in painCredit: Reuters
    Chilwell covered his face with his hands after going down injuredCredit: Alamy

    The Three Lions star clutched his left leg and immediately called for the physios to tend to him with just minutes left of the game.
    Chilwell then left Stamford Bridge on crutches.
    He now appears to be a major doubt for the World Cup – with England’s first game less than three weeks away.
    Chilwell limped off the pitch at full-time with the aid of two of Chelsea’s medical staff.
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    Blues boss Graham Potter admitted afterwards that it doesn’t look good for Chilwell.
    Potter said on the left-back: “[It’s] not great. When he pulls up like that it’s a concern. We need to scan it but it’s not positive at the moment.
    “It’s a blow for us on an otherwise positive evening. To see him pull up like that isn’t a great sight, so fingers crossed when we get it scanned it isn’t as bad [as it looked]. Clearly we’re disappointed.”
    Potter revealed Chilwell was “disappointed and upset” after speaking to the left-back in the dressing room.
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    When asked if Chilwell was a doubt for the World Cup, Potter admitted: “You’d have to say so, yeah. I don’t want to add any more than that but when a player pulls up like he did and he felt it, it’s never positive.”
    He added: “I spoke to him briefly. He just felt something as he was setting off. Obviously he’s disappointed and upset.”
    Chilwell had been expected to challenge for the starting left-back spot in Qatar with Manchester United ace Luke Shaw.
    But as he was helped from the pitch he appeared to say the word “popped” to Mason Mount, who then put his hand on his face.
    England boss Gareth Southgate is set to name his squad for the World Cup on November 14, with the tournament getting underway on November 20.
    Ex-Leicester star Chilwell ruptured his ACL last November in the Champions League, and spent much of last season out injured.
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    He tried to return without undergoing surgery but suffered a setback during a training session on Christmas Day and then had an operation.
    Chilwell only returned to training in May and skipped his summer holidays to ensure he would be ready for an important season for club and country.
    He has only recently reclaimed his place in Chelsea’s starting XI ahead of new signing Marc Cucurella.
    But now he has suffered a fresh injury blow.
    Chelsea legend Joe Cole said on BT Sport after the match: “Yeah horrible sight for Ben I feel his pain. I had problems at the back end of my career and it is heartbreaking.
    “As soon as it happens it’s a shooting pain this close to the World Cup the best you can hope for is two or three weeks before you can get back on the grass and with a World Cup selection it’s really tough. 
    “I really feel for him, again in a game where Chelsea were just seeing it out he played a strong team.
    “Overall a win three points, a win top of the group for the club, but you do feel for Ben.”
    Meanwhile ex-England manager Glenn Hoddle said: “Sometimes with a hamstring you get a warning sign. It goes into a little contraction and that’s when you put your hand up.
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    “But that one there just went. His face went you could see. He just turns the ball over on the outside and he grimaced, he was in real pain. That one looks like a nasty one.”
    Hoddle added: “It’s such a blow. [I’m] gutted for him.”
    Chilwell had to be helped off the pitch at full-timeCredit: PA
    Mason Mount tends to the stricken ChilwellCredit: Reuters
    Graham Potter consoles Chilwell at full-timeCredit: Reuters More