Newcastle United attacker Anthony Elanga faces an uphill battle to be involved in next summer’s World Cup.
While the likes of Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes are going to take part in football’s biggest competition, it remains to be seen if they will be joined by Newcastle United teammate Anthony Elanga.
Sweden endured another disastrous international break, which culminated in Jon Dahl Tomasson being sacked.
Following his departure, Graham Potter confirmed his interest in the job, as he eyed an immediate return to management after being sacked by West Ham.
His wish has now come true, with Potter getting the opportunity to manage Sweden and work with the likes of Elanga and Emil Krafth.
Anthony Elanga celebrates for Sweden.
Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
Graham Potter appointed Sweden manager
It has been announced on Monday morning that Potter is the new Sweden manager.
He has been given the job on a short-term basis, with the immediate goal being to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Following his appointment, Potter delivered a statement to the official website of the Sweden national team.
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“I am very humbled by the assignment, but also incredibly inspired,” he said.
“Sweden has fantastic players who deliver in the world’s best leagues during the weeks. My job will be to create the conditions so that we as a team deliver at the highest level to take Sweden to the World Cup next summer.”
Potter’s deal runs until March 2026, but will be extended if he is able to guide Sweden to the World Cup.
Sweden are currently bottom of their qualifying group, with Potter’s team scheduled to face Switzerland and Slovenia in their remaining two games. They will take place during the November international break.
If Sweden fail to get out of their qualifying group, they could still make it to the World Cup via the Nations League. They won Nations League group C1, which could earn them a place in the playoffs.
Pressure on Anthony Elanga for Sweden and Newcastle United
With Sweden at risk of missing the World Cup, Elanga will surely welcome the appointment of Potter. It is a new manager with new ideas, but the fear will be that it is too little too late for a nation that has more than enough quality to be involved in international football’s biggest tournament.
While Potter’s appointment is good news for Elanga, it comes at a time when the Newcastle United winger is under severe pressure.
Elanga is struggling for Newcastle, having failed to hit the ground running in black and white. The £55million man looks extremely short of confidence, and his recent Toon performances have been massively worrying.
The 23-year-old needs to prove to Eddie Howe that he was right to spend so much money on him, while now he also needs to prove to Potter that he can be part of Sweden’s late World Cup charge.
It is a pivotal few weeks for Elanga, both for club and country.