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CHELSEA academy star Genesis Antwi has earned a surprise maiden call-up for Sweden after impressing ex-Stamford Bridge boss Graham Potter – despite never playing in the Premier League.
Antwi, 19, has been with the Blues since the age of 11 when he moved to London from his native Stockholm.
And he has shone bright in the club’s academy before making his senior debut in 2025.
The full-back has made just two appearances for the first team, both of which he picked up in the Conference League against Copenhagen and Swedish outfit Djurgardens during the 2024/25 season.
After returning to the West Londoners’ youth teams last term, the defender was loaned out to sister club Strasbourg last summer.
Antwi has managed to turn his fortunes around with Hugo Oliveira’s side as he has started in eight of the French team’s ten matches this season.
The right-back’s performances caught Sweden boss Potter’s attention with the ex-Prem boss impressed with his versatility that allows him to also operate on the left side of the defence.
The 51-year-old also revealed he heard glowing reviews regarding Antwi from Chelsea contacts.
Potter said: “Genesis has done well with the Under-21 national team too, and with Emil Holm injured, I’ve chosen Felix Beijmo as the more experienced option.
“Then we have Genesis, with his qualities and his pace. I’ve spoken to people I know at Chelsea, and they think highly of him.”
Potter took over Sweden following an impressive seven-year stint in charge of Swedish outfit Ostersund before returning to the UK in 2018.
After a good season with Swansea in the Championship, he took over Brighton where his glittering three-year stint led to a massive move to Chelsea.
However, Potter only managed seven months at Stamford Bridge and following a sorry nine-month stint at West Ham he returned to Sweden where he appears to have rediscovered his former brilliance.
Antwi has won 28 caps across his national team’s youth sides and could make his senior debut in the coming Nations League clashes against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Poland.