Potter reacts to player early retirement

Chelsea manager Graham Potter has expressed his empathy for his former Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu who has been forced to retire at a young age due to a heart condition.

The Zambian player had made headlines after making his retirement public at the age of 24.

Potter during his Champions League media conference said the player has been lucky in the sense that he is alive and well.

He said: “Really terrible, but thankfully, it isn’t as terrible as it maybe could’ve been because I think he has been as lucky as he can be in the sense that he is alive and well.

“That is something we’re really thankful for. But at 24 years old, to now be able to play football puts everything in perspective.

“I tried calling him today – I sent him a message – he is a fantastic person, and whatever he does, he will succeed in his life. But it’s a shame we won’t see him on the pitch.”