Articles by Editor,Tara Anson-Walsh

Sports

'No excuses': Liverpool's British record signing Alexander Isak opens up on injury struggles after difficult start to life at Anfield

Alexander Isak has offered a candid reflection on his difficult road back to full fitness following his British-record £125million move to Liverpool in September. The 26-year-old striker arrived at Anfield on deadline day after a high-profile departure from Newcastle, having gone on strike at St James' Park to force through a move to the Premier League champions. His preparations had already been disrupted after spending the summer training alone, and he has been playing catch-up ever since. A groin injury picked up against Frankfurt sidelined him for Liverpool's next four matches, before he was left as an unused substitute in their defeat to City last weekend. Isak finally returned to action for Sweden in their latest World Cup qualifier - a 4-1 loss away to Switzerland - coming on for the final 28 minutes. Afterwards, he was asked how he felt. ‘It felt okay,’ he told Swedish newspaper Sportbladet. ‘I feel like the reaction was good after the match in my body. ‘Hopefully I can play properly in the next match (against Slovenia on Tuesday). It’s always frustrating when you’re injured. Regardless of whether it’s one match or more. It’s always worst for the player himself.’ Isak came on with Sweden trailing 2-1, after Granit Xhaka had restored Switzerland’s lead from the penalty spot. Everton’s Dan Ndoye and Johan Manzambi added two more goals to seal a heavy defeat for Graham Potter’s side in his first game in charge. Isak continued: ‘It hasn’t been optimal. But when I’m on the field, I don’t give myself any excuses. I always want to play my game and perform. ‘But yes, it’s hard to be away and not be able to help and contribute. Now I’m back and I’m positive. There’s not much that’s easy in football. But with experience you learn to deal with things. ‘That’s how it is with injuries and all that. You learn to deal with it and get back on track the right way.’ Meanwhile, Sweden boss Potter confirmed that he intends to give Isak a longer run-out against Slovenia on Tuesday following his return from injury. 'The plan was for Isak to play 30 minutes,' he said. 'It wasn't an easy position in the game to get into. 'Hopefully we'll see more of him on Tuesday.' Potter’s tenure as Sweden manager began far from the fairytale debut he would have hoped for. Brought in to salvage the nation’s struggling World Cup ambitions after Jon Dahl Tomasson’s dismissal - following a return of just one point from their first four qualifiers - he is quickly realising the scale of the challenge ahead. Key players Viktor Gyokeres, Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall and Victor Lindelof were all sidelined for Saturday night's game through injury, while Isak started from the bench. Sweden must now pin their hopes on the March play-offs, a lifeline earned through their Nations League results.

Sports

Chelsea teenager Estevao makes surprise request for a day off from Brazil training as Carlo Ancelotti shows his class ahead of Senegal win

Chelsea youngster Estevao has spoken about the effective man-management skills of his national team boss Carlo Ancelotti, after the Brazil head coach allowed him to miss training to take his driving test. Nicknamed 'Messinho' by fans, the 18-year-old underlined his youth when he revealed how he had been allowed to skip his footballing duties to get his licence. Speaking to Sky Sports, Estevao said: 'We were in Sao Paulo with the national team. It was because things were very hectic, I only had a little time there before coming here (to England) so I needed to get my driver’s license. 'So they gave me a certain time that I had to go for the driving test, and then I got the call-up. 'That’s when we spoke with Ancelotti to see if he would let me go to get my licence. 'I went to do my driving test and Ancelotti was waiting at the door for me to see if I passed or not… I was like: "Sir, I passed, I passed!" 'Then at lunchtime he stopped everyone and said: "Stop everyone! I have some news to tell you… Estevao passed his driving test!" 'Everyone was laughing so much all around the table.' Estevao joined Chelsea from Palmeiras in the summer after agreeing an initial £29million deal for the teenager the previous year, and his stock is quickly rising as one of the most exciting young talents in South America. And he repaid the faith of his manager in Brazil's 2-0 win over Senegal in their friendly match at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, opening the scoring just before the half-hour mark. Latching on to a loose ball on the right-hand side of the penalty area, the teenager whipped a shot into the far corner to beat former Chelsea shot stopper Edouard Mendy. Brazil's lead was doubled just seven minutes later when an unmarked Casemiro was picked out from a free-kick, before the United midfielder applied the finishing touch. It was Ancelotti's fourth win in six games in charge on the South American giants in a performance which showed glimpses of the former Real Madrid manager's increasing influence with an improved defensive performance - and a welcome clean sheet. Ancelotti heaped praise on the young Chelsea starlet after the game, who earned his 10th cap in north London on Saturday, saying: 'Estevao has incredible amount of talent. It’s a surprise this level at his age. 'He’s good at finishing, has a lot of magic... and he works very hard. I can say this: with Estevao, Brazil have a guaranteed future.' In what will be music to the ears of Chelsea fans, the Italian coach then added: 'He’s a very talented player. He is able to show every game, in Chelsea too, and he doesn’t need a lot of minutes to show his quality. 'He can play five minutes and he can show his quality. I think the Brazil national team is really lucky to have him, and also Chelsea.' Brazil face Tunisia in their next friendly at Lille's Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Tuesday. Chelsea then return to action in the Premier League when they travel to Burnley next Saturday. Elsewhere, Arsenal star Gabriel now appears to be an injury doubt for next weekend's north London derby after picking up a groin injury in the game. Ancelotti did not reveal the severity of the issue after the game with tests yet to come, but apologised for the issue. 'We are really sorry for this, really disappointed, when players have an injury I hope they can recover well and soon,' he added.