West Ham manager Graham Potter has opened up about his time at Chelsea, admitting that getting sacked might have been a blessing in disguise.

Speaking ahead of West Ham’s Premier League clash with Chelsea on Monday, Potter reflected on his brief and turbulent spell at Stamford Bridge.

Looking back, the 49-year-old sees it as a valuable learning experience rather than a setback.

“In football, there are always ups and downs,” Potter said. “I didn’t want to lose my job, but now, when I reflect on it, maybe it was the best thing that could have happened to me.

Maybe the next 10 to 20 years will be even better because of what I went through. I’ve learned a lot from that time.”

Despite the disappointment, Potter insists he holds no grudges against Chelsea and still maintains strong relationships with many people at the club.

Patrick Dorgu, the promising 20-year-old Danish defender, is set to become Manchester United’s latest acquisition under manager Ruben Amorim.

Dorgu, who has been a standout at Italian club Lecce, is expected to be present at Old Trafford to watch his new team face Crystal Palace this Sunday.

The transfer, valued at £29 million, marks Amorim’s inaugural signing since taking the helm at United. Dorgu expressed his enthusiasm about the move, stating, “It’s a great opportunity for me to join such a prestigious club.”

In related news, Manchester United has bolstered their defense by signing 18-year-old center-back Ayden Heaven from Arsenal. Heaven is expected to join the first-team squad immediately, adding depth to United’s defensive options.

Meanwhile, United had planned to loan out left-back Tyrell Malacia to Benfica following Dorgu’s arrival. However, negotiations fell through as the Portuguese club did not meet United’s valuation for the loan fee and buy-option.

On the attacking front, Manchester United is looking to strengthen their forward line as they prepare to finalize Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Aston Villa.

Rashford, who has been out of favor under Amorim, is set to undergo a medical at Villa. The loan deal includes an option for Villa to make the transfer permanent for around £40 million in the summer.

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has advised the club to have an open conversation with Vinicius Jr. about his future, especially with reports linking the Brazilian star to the Saudi Pro League.

He believes it would be a mistake for Madrid to dismiss the offers outright without first knowing how Vinicius feels.l

Speaking to AS, Casilla admitted he is unsure if the rumored offers from Saudi clubs are real, but he emphasized that the club should not assume Vinicius wants to stay without asking him.

He stressed that forcing an unhappy player to remain could have a negative effect on the team.

“If I were in the club’s position, the first thing I would do is ask the player what he wants. If a player wants to leave, you have to respect that,” Casilla said.

However, he personally thinks Vinicius should reject the move. “If I were in Vinicius’ shoes, I would stay. I respect the Saudi league, but Real Madrid is Real Madrid.

You are young, a key player, and you still have many years to bring joy to the fans. The Saudi clubs could come back in five years with another offer, but right now, you should stay.”