Graham Potter is sure Brighton and Hove Albion remain in "great hands" after penning an emotional open letter to the club's fanbase following his move to Chelsea.

The 47-year-old replaces Thomas Tuchel as boss at Stamford Bridge, with the clubs new owners – led by Todd Boehly – opting to make a change after an indifferent start to the season.

Chelsea have won three, lost two and drawn one from six Premier League games, while their Champions League campaign started with a shock 1-0 loss at Dinamo Zagreb.

Potter quickly emerged as favourite and was appointed to the role on Thursday, although his first match in charge was delayed after Premier League fixtures were postponed this weekend as a mark of respect following the death of the Queen.

On Sunday, Brighton published a letter written by Potter where he highlighted some of his greatest moments at the club, including victories against Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

"We have shared some brilliant moments. The 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in my first season stands out," he wrote.

"So too, the 2-1 win over Arsenal after lockdown. It was an amazing afternoon, especially given what many had gone through in the preceding months. My only wish was that our supporters had been there to enjoy that with us.

"When the stadiums were partially opened we experienced an incredible atmosphere for the 3-2 win over Manchester City in the final home game of the 2020-21 season.

"I know many of you enjoyed the 4-0 win over Manchester United last season. We finished that season with a 3-1 win over West Ham on the final day to seal a record-points tally for the club and a highest-ever league position. These are great memories."

Potter added his "congratulations" to whomever his successor may be, saying the club's hierarchy is in a strong position.

"Albion fans know that with Tony [Bloom], Paul [Barber] and David [Weir] the club is in safe hands. To my successor, whoever that may be, I would say, congratulations. You'll be working for a great club with a fantastic squad, supported by a great chairman and board," he added.

"The squad are playing at a high level and will get better. Most of all, the supporters will get behind the team home and away.

"To everyone at Brighton and Hove Albion: thank you. It has been a pleasure and honour to serve the club over the last three years. I wish you every success going forward."

Liverpool reportedly had a deadline-day bid for Moises Caicedo rejected by Brighton and Hove Albion.

The 20-year-old is hot property with a long list of suitors, after an impressive second half of last season in the Premier League.

Caicedo joined Brighton from Independiente del Valle in January 2021 on a four-and-half-year contract.

TOP STORY – BRIGHTON TO OPEN TALKS WITH CAICEDO

Brighton and Hove Albion will open contract talks with hot property Moises Caicedo according to The Mirror.

The Ecuadorian has interest from Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

The Seagulls are determined to fend off those suitors by pinning Caicedo down to a new contract.

ROUND-UP

– Fichajes reports French giants Paris Saint-Germain will look to sign Antoine Griezmann after this season, as they begin planning for Lionel Messi's departure. Griezmann is currently on a two-year loan at Atletico Madrid from Barcelona. Messi is contracted until mid-2023 and view Griezmann as a suitable replacement if they cannot convince him to extend his stay.

– Barcelona will resume their chase for Manchester City's Bernardo Silva in January, reports Sport. LaLiga has increased the club's salary cap, allowing them to pursue the Portuguese midfielder again.

– The Telegraph claims that among those under consideration for the vacant Brighton managerial role are ex-Shakhtar Donetsk boss Roberto de Zerbi and Bodo/Glimt's Kjetil Knutsen.

– Carlo Ancelotti is set to be rewarded for his successful 2021-22 campaign with Real Madrid set to offer him a new contract, according to Marca. Ancelotti's current deal runs until 2024.

Antony described Cristiano Ronaldo as a man with "an extraordinary mind" and revealed he has looked to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for guidance since joining Manchester United.

The former Ajax winger made a scintillating start to his United career, scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Premier League leaders Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Just three days after joining United for an initial £81.3million (€95m), Antony – the 100th Brazilian to play in the Premier League – became the youngest of his countrymen to score on his debut in the competition (aged 22 years and 192 days).

Antony joined Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho in United's three-pronged attack against the Gunners, as former Real Madrid and Juventus star Ronaldo started on the bench for the fifth time this season.

Ronaldo has started just one of United's six Premier League games this campaign, with Rashford (523), Sancho (423) and Anthony Elanga (215) all bettering the 37-year-old's 207 minutes of league action.

Antony then started alongside Ronaldo as United fell to a Europa League defeat against Real Sociedad on Thursday, and the Brazilian is in no doubt as to the Portugal striker's continued quality.

"Words can't describe Cristiano, the best in the world," Antony told United's website.

"In just a few days, I've learnt a lot from him. He has an extraordinary mind and, whenever I talk to him, I take a lot from it.

"I'm sure that we have a strong attack and it's very promising for the future.

"I've come to help my team-mates. Regardless of age, there's immense talent in all the players."

During Ajax's run to the Champions League's last 16 under Erik ten Hag last term, Antony attempted 29 dribbles, more than any other player recorded for the Eredivisie giants.

The 22-year-old showed glimpses of his distinctly Brazilian style on his debut and has pledged he will always look to entertain the Red Devils supporters.

"I've always done this," he said. "Not just here but for all the teams I've played for. I've been doing it ever since I was a child. I've always done it – it's one of my characteristics.

"I am adapting and getting used to things here already. Entertaining is something I've always liked, and I'll continue doing it."

Anthony Martial has taken savage swipes at former Manchester United managers Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, accusing both of mistreating him during their Old Trafford reigns.

French forward Martial became the most expensive teenager in history at the time when he completed a September 2015 move worth up to £58million (€69m) from Monaco.

Signed by Louis van Gaal, he spent less than a year playing under the Dutchman, with whom he said he had "a great relationship".

Mourinho was Van Gaal's successor, appointed in May 2016, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic was among the first signings by the new boss.

According to Martial, his problems with Mourinho "started with the story of the jersey number", saying he unwillingly gave up the number nine to Swedish star Ibrahimovic.

"During the holidays, he [Mourinho] sends me a message to ask me if I want to change to the 11, explaining to me that it is great because it is that of the legend Ryan Giggs," Martial told France Football magazine.

"I tell him that I have the greatest respect for Giggs, but I prefer to keep the nine. And when I return to the club, I see my jersey with the 11, the story didn't start well. He lacked direct respect for me."

Martial said Mourinho, who is now boss of Roma, began to use "little phrases, a bit like he had done with Karim Benzema at Real [Madrid]", when talking in the media about Martial.

"He likes these little games, but he also knows who he is doing it with. He knows that I was 20 years old then, and that if I say something it is me who will pass for the young person who lacks respect," Martial said. "So I said nothing, it was useless."

Martial took issue with losing his place to another new recruit, Alexis Sanchez, who joined from Arsenal midway through the 2017-18 season.

"It's the season of the World Cup, and it cost me dearly in the end, especially since the France team won. I should have been there," Martial said.

Mourinho was sacked by United in December 2018, with club favourite Solskjaer coming in as a surprise successor.

France international Martial finished the 2019-20 campaign as United's top scorer with 23 goals, yet he subsequently faded from favour. He claimed Solskjaer mismanaged him after that prolific campaign.

Soon after Solskjaer's dismissal in November 2021, Martial was loaned out to Sevilla, where he scored once in 12 appearances, nine of which were starts.

Martial said he had "regularly played injured" during Solskjaer's reign, claiming the manager failed to make that clear to outsiders as he struggled.

"The coach never bothered to tell the media," said Martial, who remains a United player. "Obviously, I ended up getting injured for good and when I came back I didn't play any more. I took it very badly, I had a feeling of injustice.

"You're asked to sacrifice yourself for the team and afterwards you are dismissed. For me, it's almost treachery."

Casper Ruud is looking to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Erling Haaland by putting Norway "on the map" ahead of his US Open final appearance.

Ruud is the first Norwegian male player to appear in the championship match at Flushing Meadows, where he will play Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, with the winner also set to become the new world number one.

Runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open in June, the fifth seed would become only the fourth player from Scandinavia to top the ATP rankings should he prevail at Arthur Ashe Stadium - after Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg.

Ruud is not the only Norwegian sportsman to be enjoying an impressive spell of form. Indeed, compatriot Haaland has made a blistering start to life at Manchester City.

The former Borussia Dortmund striker has already scored 12 goals in his first eight appearances across all competitions - including successive hat-tricks - since swapping Bundesliga for the Premier League.

Ruud hailed Haaland's red-hot streak at City, and said he takes immense pride in representing the Norwegian flag every time he steps out onto the court.

The nine-time ATP title winner said: "Erling Haaland has had an unbelievable season so far. And we all hope he keeps going. It's a joy to watch him score goal after goal.

"So, he's obviously the biggest star we have in Norway at the moment, and he'll probably continue to be so for many more years. 

"I'm just focused on my career and hope I can, of course, win more tournaments in my career.

"Everywhere I go, I represent Norway - whenever I play on the ATP Tour or in a grand slam, because the Norwegian flag is always behind or in front of my name.

"So, I want to represent Norway in a good way, and put Norwegian tennis a little bit more on the map than what it's been in previous years.

"I hope I can represent Norway and the Norwegian people in a good way when I'm travelling around and playing, and hopefully winning more matches."

Chelsea's first big transfer splash under new boss Graham Potter could reportedly be RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, after the club had a £77million bid rejected before the deadline.

Gvardiol is young at 20, but he does not lack experience, having already been awarded 10 senior international caps for Croatia, as well as racking up 47 club appearances in all competitions last season for Leipzig.

He was one of many high-profile defenders to be enquired about during Chelsea's search that ended up landing Leicester City's Wesley Fofana and Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly.

But with Koulibaly already 31 and Thiago Silva now 37, the club may feel it is best to figure out the succession plan sooner rather than later.

TOP STORY – CHELSEA PLAN BIG MOVE FOR GVARDIOL IN JANUARY

With over £150m spent between Fofana, Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella, while being tied with Manchester United for the fewest goals scored in the Premier League by a team in the top-half (eight from six games), it is curious to see the Stamford Bridge side still so desperate for defensive help.

It remains to be seen what kind of budget Potter will be allowed to use in the January window, given all the recent signings had been under Thomas Tuchel's guidance, and it is also fair to assume a potential Gvardiol deal would not have this season's results in mind, given their previous offer included loaning him back to Leipzig.

Ownership's willingness to open up the cheque book in January would have likely been discussed during their recruitment of Potter, and Bild remain convinced Chelsea's interest with the young Croatian is far from over.

ROUND-UP

– According to The Mirror, Arsenal and Newcastle United will compete for the signature of 26-year-old Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo, who is said to be available for £8.6m due to being in the last year of his contract.

– The Metro is reporting United full-back Diogo Dalot turned down a move to Milan, instead wishing to fight for his spot at Old Trafford.

– According to inews, Newcastle are joining the race for Vasco da Gama teenager Andrey Santos, who reportedly has a £30m price tag and is a target of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

– Jordi Alba is unsettled at Barcelona amid interest from Inter, but remains committed to the club where he now has to contend with Alejandro Balde and Marcos Alonso for the starting role, according to Marca.

Former Inter and Italy defender Davide Santon has announced his retirement from playing at the age of 31 due to persistent injury issues.

The full-back had spent the past four seasons with Roma but failed to make a single appearance under Jose Mourinho in the 2021-22 campaign.

Santon was capped eight times by Italy between 2009 and 2013 and was a two-time Scudetto winner with Inter during the first of two spells with the club, either side of a three-season stint with Newcastle United.

Injuries ultimately took their toll on the defender, who announced his playing days are over in an interview with Tuttomercato published on Friday.

"I'm forced to stop playing," he said. "Not for not having had offers, not for anything else, but because my body, with so many injuries in the past, can't take it anymore.

"I didn't want to do this, but I have to. I had endless tests and consultations, but there was nothing to be done. I can still walk, but that's not enough to be a professional athlete. 

"If I kept pushing, I'd risk needing a prosthesis. The left knee is just gone. It stops me doing lots of things. 

"The right knee, that had surgery three times, removing cartilage, the entire external meniscus, so as soon as I strain it even a little bit, it swells up and can't bend.

"All my injuries really came from there, because if the right knee can't bend, you put more strain on the left and the flexor. If you play one match, you risk being out of action for the next five."

Santon made just 42 Serie A appearances across four seasons with Roma and was accused by some of turning down moves elsewhere in order to continue picking up an easy wage at Stadio Olimpico.

Responding to those claims, Santon said: "I didn't turn anyone down. I was never going to pass a medical."

Play will resume at the BMW PGA Championship on Saturday after a day's pause following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Event organisers halted play late on Thursday and all day Friday following news of Her Majesty's passing at the age of 96.

However, the DP World Tour has confirmed play will resume at Wentworth on Saturday, with the tournament to be contested over 54 holes rather than 72.

"The decision to restart on Saturday has been taken in accordance with Official National Mourning guidance and in consultation with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)," the DP World Tour's statement read.

"The Wentworth event will give players, caddies, staff, volunteers and spectators the opportunity to come together across the weekend, not only to express their condolences but also to celebrate the extraordinary life of Her Majesty.

"The second round of the BMW PGA Championship will resume at 6.40am on Saturday morning and all original second round tee times will remain the same. 

"Those players who are yet to complete their first round will do so from 7.30am onwards from the place on the golf course where they stopped on Thursday afternoon.

"Across the weekend at Wentworth, black ribbons will be made available for people to wear and flags will continue to fly at half-mast."

"In addition, there will be a two-minute silence at 9.50am on Saturday morning across the venue to commemorate the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with the proclamation of King Charles III being shown on the television screens in the Championship Village from 10am."

Tommy Fleetwood, Andy Sullivan and Viktor Hovland held a joint-lead with an eight-under par 64 when play came to a stop on Thursday.

England's third Test against South Africa at The Oval will also resume on Saturday, while the Super League clash between Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils will go ahead as planned.

Friday's meeting between Catalans Dragons and Leeds Rhinos had already been given the green light to take place as it is being held in Perpignan in the south of France.

However, all Premier League and English Football League fixtures this weekend have been called off, as has Saturday's undisputed middleweight championship bout between Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall.

The fight at the O2 Arena in London has been provisionally postponed until October 15.

Cristiano Ronaldo has offered his condolences to the Royal Family following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, describing the late monarch as "irreplaceable".

The Royal Family revealed on Thursday that the longest-serving sovereign in the UK's history had passed away peacefully at the age of 96.

The sporting world has united in grief following her death, with Ronaldo's club Manchester United hailing her "immense contribution to public life, including sport, both here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world", in a club statement.

Ronaldo took to social media to pay his own respects on Friday, writing on Instagram: "Seven years of my career were played in the Premier League, making this my eighth season living in England. 

"Throughout these years, I've felt the everlasting love of the UK for its Queen, and how important Her Majesty was and will forever be to the British people. 

"I pay my respect to her memory and I mourn this irreplaceable loss with the country that I've learned to call home. My thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family."

On Friday, the Premier League called off its full weekend fixture programme as a "mark of respect" for the Queen, who was described as "an inspiration" in an official statement.

The Football League (EFL) did likewise, before the Football Association (FA) confirmed all games scheduled in England between September 9 to 11 would be postponed.  

The Premier League called off its full weekend fixture programme following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, saying it took the decision "as a mark of respect" for a monarch who had been "an inspiration".

After discussions with Government officials, an announcement of the postponements came in a statement from the league at 11:30 BST.

It read: "At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"To honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend's Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening’s game."

The weekend programme had been due to kick off with Fulham's home game against Chelsea at 12:30 BST on Saturday, ending with Leeds United's Elland Road clash with Nottingham Forest on Monday evening.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: "We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty's long and unwavering service to our country.

"As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.

"This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing."

The EFL, which runs the Championship, League One and League Two in England, also announced the postponement of its fixtures, with a blanket cancellation of all football then confirmed.

The Football Association (FA) said all games across England would be postponed from September 9 to 11.

It said the Queen had "left a lasting and indelible legacy on our national game".

She had been a patron of the FA and famously handed over the Jules Rimet Trophy to England captain Bobby Moore after the 4-2 win over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final.

The FA said: "As a mark of respect, following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, English football has united to postpone all football fixtures between 9-11 September."

It said this applied all the way down to grassroots level.

The FA's statement added: "Our thoughts remain with our president, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, and the whole of the Royal Family during this time."

Chelsea have cancelled a news conference with new head coach Graham Potter following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Potter had been due to face the media for the first time as Blues boss at 13:30 BST, at Chelsea's Cobham training ground.

That was announced before the Queen's death on Thursday, and Chelsea moved to cancel the planned session on Friday morning.

The decision was taken amid uncertainty over whether the weekend's English football programme would go ahead as planned, and it was announced at 11:30 BST that Premier League games would be postponed.

Potter left Brighton and Hove Albion to take over at Chelsea following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

German boss Tuchel was surprisingly dismissed on Wednesday, just a day on from a 1-0 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

That result followed an indifferent start to the Premier League season, during which Chelsea have taken 10 points from a possible 18 after a bold spending spree under new owner Todd Boehly.

Boehly said of Potter's appointment: "We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea. He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club."

Chelsea have reportedly held an emergency call with new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to reassure him of his future with the club after Thomas Tuchel's surprise sacking.

Tuchel was removed from his position after Chelsea's 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb in their Champions League opener, in a move that will carry a heavy financial cost, according to reports from the Daily Mail and The Mirror.

Tuchel and his backroom staff are said to be receiving £15million in pay-outs, and Brighton are set to claim £20m in compensation after Graham Potter took over.

One of the main selling points for Aubameyang to come to Stamford Bridge was his relationship with Tuchel, who had coached him at Borussia Dortmund, and the Telegraph claims Chelsea's ownership group went out of their way to reassure the 33-year-old striker about his decision after cutting ties with Tuchel.

TOP STORY – CHELSEA OWNERS REASSURE AUBAMEYANG OF HIS ROLE AFTER TUCHEL FIRING

According to the Telegraph's report, controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Egbali addressed the Chelsea squad on Wednesday after Tuchel's sacking took place that morning, but there was also a separate individual chat with Aubameyang.

They reportedly told the signing from Barcelona that they "believe he can flourish under new head coach Graham Potter", and the Gabon international is said to have no second thoughts about his decision.

While he was clearly a player Tuchel pushed for, Aubameyang was assured he was "a club signing", and the report claims he "is thought to have been appreciative of the explanation".

In his one game for Chelsea under Tuchel, Aubameyang was substituted in the 59th minute.

ROUND-UP

– BILD has confirmed once again that Liverpool have their sights set on a massive move for Borussia Dortmund's 19-year-old English midfielder Jude Bellingham in 2023. 

– A report from Sport claims the rise of 18-year-old Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde has complicated the arrival of Marcos Alonso, who was brought in to be the main competition to Jordi Alba, but he is now behind Balde as well.

– Fabrizio Romano is reporting 21-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk wants a move to Arsenal alongside his Ukrainian compatriot Oleksandr Zinchenko, and that it could be possible in January.

– JuveLive claim Juventus are prepared to offer 22-year-old striker Moise Kean to Aston Villa in a straight swap for 24-year-old midfielder Douglas Luiz.

Liverpool have joined other leading sporting clubs and bodies in paying tribute to HRH Queen Elizabeth II, who died aged 96 on Thursday.

Britain's longest-serving monarch passed away in Balmoral earlier today, just months after celebrating her Platinum Jubilee.

The sporting world has paid tribute to the Queen, with the Premier League announcing it was "deeply saddened" by her passing.

Jurgen Klopp's side were among those to express their sorrow.

"Liverpool Football Club is saddened by the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II," read an official statement. "We extend our sincere condolences to The Royal Family."

It has yet to be announced whether Liverpool's Premier League meeting with Wolves will go ahead this weekend.

Premier League champions Manchester City have sent their "sincere condolences" to the Royal Family after the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.

Her Majesty passed away peacefully at her Balmoral residence on Thursday at the age of 96.

The sporting world has paid tribute to the Queen, with the Premier League announcing it was "deeply saddened" by her passing.

Manchester United said the club "shares the sorrow of the entire nation", while Arsenal held a minute's silence ahead of the second half of their Europa League match at FC Zurich.

City have also expressed their sadness at her death, the club posting on their official website: "Manchester City wishes to express its sincere condolences to the Royal Family following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"Her Majesty's dedication and service has been exemplary and we join our country and the Commonwealth in mourning her loss."

Chelsea have joined several other Premier League clubs in sending their condolences to the Royal Family following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Royal Family announced Her Majesty had passed away peacefully at her Balmoral residence on Thursday.

The news was met with tributes from across the sporting world; Manchester United said the club "shares the sorrow of the entire nation", while Arsenal held a minute's silence ahead of the second half of their Europa League match at FC Zurich.

The Premier League, meanwhile, announced it was "deeply saddened" by the Queen's passing.

A statement on Chelsea's website read: "Chelsea Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We join those mourning in the UK and across the world.

"We would like to send our condolences to the Royal Family and everyone affected by this very sad news."