International
Pochettino Signals Longing for Premier League While Committed to USMNT
Pochettino admits he misses the Premier League and says a return could still happen One day maybe.
Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged a persistent pull back to the Premier League even as he prepares the U.S. men’s national team for a home World Cup. The Argentine divides his time between a London house and the U.S. Soccer facility in Atlanta, and he made clear he remains content with his current role while also harbouring a longer-term ambition to return to England’s top division.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world,” the 53-year-old told BBC Sport in the UK. “Of course I am missing it. I am so happy in America but also thinking one day to come back to the Premier League. It’s the most competitive league.”
Pochettino’s Premier League memories include a near-miss at Tottenham. “I think we were so close in Tottenham , we nearly touched it [winning the Champions League and Premier League]. That is a thing that I would want to achieve,” he said, underlining the unfinished business that remains with his former club.
His past at Spurs remains a recurring theme. Sacked months after guiding Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019, and after overseeing a second-place finish in the 2016–17 Premier League, Pochettino has repeatedly spoken of a wish to return. “When I left the club, I always remember one interview I said I would like one day to come back to Tottenham,” he said to Sky Sports earlier this year.
He added context to that feeling: “I am in the USA, I’m not going to talk about that, but what I said then still after six years, I still feel in my heart that, yes, I would like one day to come back. We see the timing.”
Changes at Spurs since his departure, including a long-standing relationship with chairman Daniel Levy and subsequent board adjustments, have altered the landscape. Still, Pochettino’s recollections remain vivid. “It was an amazing journey that finished the way no-one wanted it to finish,” Pochettino recalled in 2020 of his still fresh Spurs memories in a BT Sport interview.
For now, his focus is on the American project, but the door to a Premier League return has clearly been left ajar.
International
Ancelotti Urges Endrick to Prioritise Playing Time as World Cup Selection Looms
Ancelotti wants Endrick to discuss his lack of playing time with the club before the 2026 World Cup
Carlo Ancelotti has advised Endrick to raise concerns with his club over limited minutes while keeping the teenager in his considerations for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Endrick became Brazil’s youngest debutant in 57 years at the end of 2023 and scored in consecutive Selecão appearances against England and Spain in 2024 while still 17, making him the only Brazilian apart from Pelé in the 1950s to score in back-to-back appearances under 18.
The forward’s first season in Spain proved difficult. In 2024–25 he started only three La Liga matches and once in the Champions League under Ancelotti, though he reached 37 appearances across all competitions and scored seven times. The arrival of Xabi Alonso as coach and the emergence of Club World Cup top scorer Gonzalo García as the main backup to Kylian Mbappé further reduced his opportunities.
After arriving into 2025–26 injured and missing the opening month, Endrick has since received just 11 minutes of action and has been an unused substitute on 10 occasions across La Liga and the Champions League.
“It’s important for Endrick to play again,” Ancelotti, now in place as Brazil manager and weighing up who to take to the World Cup in seven months’ time, told local publication Placar. “I spoke with him at the beginning of the season. He was injured, but now he’s fine, he’s back, and he needs to think with those around him about what’s best. He needs to talk to the club to see what suits him best.”
Ancelotti also offered perspective on the youngster’s international future: “Endrick is very young, this won’t be his last World Cup. He could play in 2026, because he has the necessary quality, but also in 2030, 2034, or even 2038. The important thing is that he plays again and demonstrates his quality.”
Lyon are reported to be the most likely destination in January on an initial loan for the remainder of the season. Globo also reports interest from Manchester United, with attention said to be linked to Benjamin Šeško’s current injury and a shortage of natural depth in the No. 9 position at Old Trafford.
Arsenal
Ødegaard’s return remains uncertain as Norway outlines gradual rehab plan
Solbakken says Martin Ødegaard is ‘some distance away’ from returning as rehab continues with Norway
Nigelly paced updates from Norway suggest Martin Ødegaard is not yet ready to rejoin Arsenal’s matchday squad. Norway manager Ståle Solbakken said the midfielder remains some way from full fitness and will continue a phased rehabilitation with the national team.
Solbakken offered a measured assessment at the start of the November international window. “[Ødegaard’s recovery] is steady,” he explained. “It is going in a steady direction but he is some distance away.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been cautious about a timetable and, before the break, suggested the playmaker was “not far off ” alongside other sidelined players Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli. That optimism has been tempered by Solbakken’s remarks.
Similar to Manchester United centre back Lisandro Martínez , Arsenal have permitted Ødegaard to split his recovery over the coming weeks between his club and Norway. Solbakken outlined the planned schedule: “He will fly in [to Oslo] after his rehab on Thursday,” he confirmed. “Then he will continue his rehab with us and will be with us from Thursday afternoon.
“I don’t know when the flight leaves. But he will be with us until Milan [on Nov. 16].”
Arsenal had hoped to welcome Ødegaard back in time for the north London derby, but doubts over his availability emerged when it was reported he would be out until “at least” after the November break. Ødegaard himself acknowledged the uncertainty, calling it “tricky” to pin down a return date and saying much will depend on when he is able to resume training fully.
The club and country will continue to co-ordinate his programme over the international period, with Solbakken’s update underlining a cautious approach to the midfielder’s comeback.
International
United criticised for slow communication after Šeško withdrawn from Slovenia duty
Kek criticises Manchester United after Šeško withdrawn from Slovenia squad; paperwork arrived late..
Manchester United confirmed Benjamin Šeško would not join Slovenia for international duty, but the delay in sharing medical information prompted public criticism from Slovenia manager Matjaž Kek.
Kek said he had not received formal documentation from the club and voiced frustration at the handling of the situation. “With all due respect to a great club like Manchester United, we have officially not received anything yet; no papers, no documents,” Kek confessed.
He made clear Slovenia wanted full access to United medical details so its own staff could assess the striker. “We would certainly like to get them. We want our medical team to also take a look at it. Our doctor is an expert in this field. We don’t have just anyone in this position.
“I cannot comment, of course I have certain information and I am also in contact with Beni. I can’t say anything because officially we don’t know anything at all. United haven’t contacted anyone from our camp. Of course, I am concerned about the player. The only thing that matters to me is his wellbeing.
“We are prepared to do everything for that and we have never sent anyone on the field if there was the slightest risk.”
The Football Association of Slovenia later said that United provided the relevant documents after the national team held its first training session on Monday. United have not issued further detail on the severity of Šeško’s condition, stating only that he would be unavailable for international duty. Slovenia’s statement added that additional tests were being arranged by United for early this week.
Numerous outlets, including The Athletic, relayed a club message that Šeško has not suffered a serious issue and is not expected to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines beyond this international break.
United also confirmed Casemiro, who was forced off against Spurs with 20 minutes to go, has joined the Brazil squad. Centre back Lisandro Martínez has been granted permission to train with the Argentina squad as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.
