Football Stars Embrace Chess: A New Trend Among Premier League Players

Title: Premier League Stars Spark Chess Renaissance Among Youth

In an unexpected twist, the world of football is witnessing a fascinating crossover with chess, as Premier League stars like Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah embrace the ancient game, igniting a surge in its popularity among younger audiences.

Manchester City’s powerhouse striker, Haaland, has taken his passion for chess to new heights by investing in a groundbreaking chess tour, aiming to capitalize on the heightened profile that celebrity players bring to the game. “Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football,” Haaland remarked, highlighting the strategic parallels between the two sports.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, meanwhile, has become somewhat of a chess aficionado, admitting, “I’m addicted to chess. Every day, literally every day.” Known for his love of the faster ‘blitz’ version of the game, Salah plays under an anonymous online profile, further illustrating the modern appeal of chess in the digital age.

Other Premier League stars, including Harry Kane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Anthony Gordon, have also joined the chess craze. Alexander-Arnold often engages in friendly matches with his brothers and even faced off against chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, who dispatched the defender in a swift 17-move victory.

The chess phenomenon isn’t limited to just a few players. Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze are also keen participants, with Eze recently clinching an amateur tournament title in 2025. The crossover has even caught the attention of football fans, as chess grandmaster Carlsen, a five-time world champion, openly shares his love for both games.

The rise of online chess platforms during the Covid-19 pandemic has played a significant role in this resurgence. The International Chess Federation reports that at least 1.5 billion people now have a chess app on their phones, making it easier than ever for fans and players alike to engage with the game.

While the cerebral nature of chess contrasts sharply with the physicality of football, the two share more similarities than one might think. “You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead. Strategy and planning are everything,” Haaland added, echoing sentiments shared by football managers like Pep Guardiola, who noted the mental parallels between the two disciplines.

Despite the allure of chess, many footballers, including Kane, maintain that their true passion lies on the pitch. “I use chess to switch off. It’s such a mental game. You have to focus on every moment,” he explained, suggesting that while chess offers a welcome distraction, the thrill of scoring a winning goal remains unmatched.

As the chessboard becomes a new battleground for these football icons, one thing is clear: the game’s resurgence among younger generations is not just a passing trend but a testament to the enduring appeal of strategy, competition, and the thrill of the game—whether on the pitch or the board.