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Trinity Rodman has received a contract offer from DC Power of the Gainbridge Super League that reportedly exceeds what the Washington Spirit or the NWSL can match. The U.S. forward’s contract with the Spirit expires next month, and negotiations over an extension have stalled. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has stressed her league will fight to keep the American star.

ImagnSubstantial contract offer

Multiple outlets report that Rodman’s representatives have spoken directly with Berman while also holding discussions with European clubs. According to , they are evaluating an offer from DC Power that exceeds what the Spirit can provide under the league’s salary cap. Negotiations have reached an impasse because NWSL teams are unable to match offers from clubs operating outside the cap structure.

Berman stressed in her NWSL Final presser on Thursday that the league hopes to retain the star forward. 

"We want Trinity in the NWSL, and we will fight for her," she said. 

Rodman has more than delivered during her time in NWSL, scoring 23 goals. The 23-year-old is also reportedly drawing interest from European clubs. 

AdvertisementImagnSalary cap debate intensifies amid competition

The situation highlights a key structural difference between the two leagues. The Super League, sanctioned as a Division I competition and operated by the USL, does not use a salary cap or player draft, giving clubs full control over roster building and allowing all players to become free agents when their contracts expire.

That stands in contrast with the NWSL’s hard salary cap – set at $3.3 million per team for 2026 and not expected to reach $5 million until 2030 under the current CBA – which limits how much clubs can offer in contract negotiations. Berman defended the NWSL's use of a salary cap and pointed to the league's growth in its current number. 

"The NWSL has raised the salary cap tremendously in the last four seasons, almost quadrupled in the last four years," she said. 

ImagnRodman decision represents watershed moment

The outcome of Rodman’s contract negotiations is expected to influence future deals for top American players. In recent years, several high-profile U.S. players have moved abroad – including Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea, as well as Naomi Girma and Lindsey Horan – and Rodman now represents one of the most closely watched cases.

Unlike those players, Rodman has a domestic alternative capable of outbidding her current league. The Spirit and DC Power share facilities owned by D.C. United, and the Power also share ownership ties with the MLS club, creating an unusual scenario in which Rodman could remain in the same market while moving to a different league.

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Getty Images SportChampionship match outcome precedes decisive offseason

Rodman will first focus on leading the Washington Spirit in Saturday's NWSL Championship in San Jose before making any decisions about her future. 

Former Premier League star Kevin Doyle, who represented the likes of Wolves and Reading in his playing days, has been caught on camera appearing to call Dominik Szoboszlai a “Liverpool c***”. Said words were allegedly uttered during the wild celebrations which accompanied the Republic of Ireland’s dramatic World Cup qualifying win over Hungary.

• Luck of the Irish: Parrott hat-trick secures play-off berth

  Ex-Ireland international Doyle was helping to cover that game for RTE Sports. The 42-year-old lost his composure after seeing Troy Parrott complete a historic hat-trick at the Puskas Arena. Said effort was recorded in the 96th minute of an epic encounter that saw Ireland trailing a must-win contest with just 10 minutes remaining.

  One-time Tottenham striker Parrott, who is now plying his trade in the Netherlands for AZ, helped to turn that tie on its head. With the Irish going on to prevail 3-2, they have now booked a World Cup play-off berth – presenting them with a shot at qualification for the 2026 finals.

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• What ex-Ireland star Doyle said during wild celebrations

  Jubilant Doyle was left wheeling around the RTE studio after seeing Parrott land himself a match ball in Budapest. An edited version of his celebration was posted by RTE, but the full scenes were captured off camera – with an uncut video making its way onto social media.

  In that, Doyle appears to bellow in the direction of current Anfield star Szoboszlai: "Suck on that you Liverpool c***!” He then apologises to former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who was also on punditry duty.

  Doyle hung up his boots in 2017 having finished his career in MLS with the Colorado Rapids. He has moved into media work since then, while also stepping up his long-standing interest in horse racing.

  While he was left beaming at the end of Ireland’s stunning victory over Hungary, Szoboszlai – who has been putting his versatility to good use at Premier League champions Liverpool this season – said when asked how much his heart aches after missing out on a World Cup berth: “Very much.”

• Emotional Parrott reacts to historic hat-trick for Ireland

  Ireland hero Parrott – who also bagged a brace when downing Portugal in a game that saw Cristiano Ronaldo sent off – told as emotion spilled out of him on the back of becoming the first man to net a hat-trick away from home for The Boys in Green: “I'm really really emotional right now…sorry. They're tears of joy. What a night. What a night.

  “I'd rather have that pressure on me and whatever happens will happen, rather than put it on somebody else and leave it out of my hands. I can't believe it. I really can't believe it. This is why we love football because things like this can happen.

  “Look, I love where I'm from. So this means the world to me. My family is here…this is the first time I've cried in years as well. It's unbelievable. Everyone's crying. I said against Portugal that this is what dreams are made of but tonight, I don't think I'll ever have a better night in my whole life. It really is a fairytale. You can't even dream about something like that. Honestly, I have no words to describe the emotions right now.

  “Everyone wrote us off at the start of the group. But I couldn't have said it enough, that there's always a chance. And we've taken the chance. Everyone should be proud of the group of players that are over there. To go down twice and come back like that, it's beautiful.”

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  2026 World Cup play-off draw: When is it & who could Ireland face?

  Ireland will now take their place in the play-off draw, which will be held on November 20. The semi-finals are set to start on March 26, 2026, with the finals getting underway five days later. There are 16 teams fighting for just four places at the World Cup finals.

  Having kept themselves in the hunt for tickets, Ireland could be paired with the likes of Wales, Slovakia, Scotland, Czechia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo. They will fear nobody when looking to complete a fairytale run to another major international tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo has laughed off questions regarding his 1,000th goal being scored in the 2026 World Cup final, suggesting that anybody expecting that to happen has “been watching too many movies”. CR7 admits that such a scenario would be “perfect”, but prefers to keep his focus locked on the present – with the all-time great also reluctant to speculate on his potential involvement at Euro 2028.

• Individual targets: Prolific Ronaldo sets personal goals

  Having achieved just about everything – a World Cup triumph aside – Ronaldo has to set more individual targets during the latter stages of his record-shattering career. One of those sees him chasing down four figures on the goal front, with that milestone very much in sight.

  Given how prolific he has been for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team – with 143 efforts recorded for his country – it may be that Ronaldo further cements his legacy before gracing another international tournament.

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  Dream ending: Could Ronaldo reach 1,000 goals in World Cup final?

  He will be heading to a sixth World Cup regardless of what he has achieved on the personal front, with the evergreen 40-year-old as hungry as ever to savour tangible success. He has written plenty of Hollywood scripts down the years, allowing the history books to be rewritten, but is not giving too much thought to delivering a fairytale ending on American soil.

  Quizzed on whether his 1,000th goal could come in the game that lands him a World Cup winners’ medal, Ronaldo said: “You've been watching too many movies, that would be too perfect. Getting back to reality, all this data makes me happy. A national team never depends on one player, but I like being able to make a difference with goals. It's always good to score goals, that's my position. I want to play in this next World Cup, otherwise I wouldn't be here, but let's take it step by step. If that happened, it would be a good sign, I'd end my career on a high note.”

• Evergreen at 40: How Ronaldo moves with the times

  Ronaldo is showing no sign of slowing down on the goal front, with the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward priding himself on being able to move with the times. He added on being prolific at an age that few reach as a professional: “Scoring goals is the hardest thing in football. I think I was smart to adapt to modern football, physically and mentally, to different club contexts, the national team, different leagues. I think a truly intelligent player adapts to the circumstances of football, and that's how it should be. I'll think like that until I retire from football. You have to adapt; football isn't the same as it was five years ago. What makes the difference between great players is their brains, their heads.”

  While retirement does not dominate his thoughts at present, Ronaldo has admitted that a day in which his boots are hung up for the final time may come “soon”. He has conceded that the 2026 World Cup will be his last.

  He has, however, signed a contract with Al-Nassr until 2027 and stated that: “Let's be honest, when I mean soon I mean probably one, two years. I'm enjoying the moment. But when I mean soon, it's not really soon, because I give everything for football. I'm in the game for the last 25 years, I did everything. I have many records. I'm really proud. So let's enjoy the moment, live the moment.”

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  Will Ronaldo play at Euro 2028? Portuguese GOAT responds

  With Ronaldo’s fire still burning, and many tipping him to play on beyond the age of 42, could he grace another European Championship – having previously captured that crown with Portugal in 2016? Ronaldo said when that question was put to him: “The important thing is to focus on this game. The national team is here to play in a final stage. It's another very important competition for the country, for the players, for me too, and everything else isn't relevant right now. Now it's about enjoying the moment.”

  Euro 2028 will be heading to the UK and Ireland. Ronaldo has some happy memories in England from his two spells at Old Trafford and is preparing to line up against Irish opposition on Thursday as Portugal seek to wrap up automatic qualification for next summer’s World Cup.

England’s first bilateral ODI win since 2023 gives McCullum’s white-ball reign some traction at last

Alan Gardner02-Jun-2025

Alzarri Joseph produced a fierce spell that had England on the rack in Cardiff•Getty Images

Big picture: Series secured, ranking points on the lineOne crushing victory, one challenging chase, and a couple of boxes ticked for the Harry Brook regime. Joe Root’s ODI magnum opus in Cardiff tied a bow on the series – England’s first bilateral success since beating Ireland 1-0 ahead of the 2023 World Cup – and means the new-look white-ball set-up finally has some traction after an insipid start under all-formats supremo Brendon McCullum.The fact England still got over the line despite a far-from-perfect performance in the second game may be cause for greater satisfaction. At Edgbaston, West Indies simply failed to turn up. But after regrouping, they took advantage of some sloppiness in the field to put England under pressure at Sophia Gardens, initially via Keacy Carty’s third hundred in his last four ODIs and then the incision of Alzarri Joseph with the ball.England’s chase was in peril from the outset at 2 for 2 and they really ought not to have found a way back from 133 for 5 chasing 309. However, Root, benefiting from a pair of missed run-out opportunities and some luck with the DRS, gradually unfurled an innings of fitting greatness as he put himself top of the pile for England in one-day cricket, his unbeaten 166 shutting the door on West Indies – as well as assuaging some of his “guilt” about how things slid under Brook’s predecessor, Jos Buttler.Brook probably didn’t need a reminder of Root’s qualities, but a renewed demonstration of his hunger for the format as England begin to build towards the 2027 World Cup can be no bad thing.And it is with the World Cup in mind that both teams will approach the third game in the series – even with the forecast for a summer deluge in south London on Tuesday. England, currently eighth in the ICC rankings, held a slender three-point advantage over ninth-placed West Indies a few days ago, but that has now grown to nine. A 3-0 defeat for Daren Sammy’s side, having previously been held to 1-1 by Ireland, would leave them uncomfortably placed alongside Bangladesh in the race for automatic World Cup qualification.Sammy said before the series that “every ODI game from now until the deadline for qualification is important”, emphasising the added incentive after West Indies missed out on the last two ICC 50-over tournaments. Weather permitting, it would be a timely moment for them to secure a first ODI win over England in England since 2007.Joe Root and Adil Rashid steered England home with a 24-run eighth-wicket stand•PA Photos/Getty Images

Form guideEngland WWLLL
West Indies LLWLWIn the spotlight: Saqib Mahmood and Shai HopeVarious members of England’s top order have taken centre stage over the first two games – notably Root and Jacob Bethell – but it’s worth noting the importance of Saqib Mahmood to their bowling effort. In the first game Mahmood undermined West Indies with the new ball, in the second he limited them at the death, leaving him as the joint-leading wicket-taker with six at 11.50, and an economy of 4.14. It continues an impressive run of white-ball form for England, going back to his prolific T20I showing in the Caribbean before Christmas, and means Jofra Archer has not been missed.Shai Hope has set high standards since taking over as West Indies ODI captain (he averages 52.46 in charge of the team alongside a career mark of 49.75) and demonstrated how important he is to his side’s fortunes with 78 off 66 balls in Cardiff. The worry is that this tour, which included defeat to Ireland, has seen West Indies take a step back after the improvements of 2024 – albeit selection was hampered by IPL rescheduling. It comes just at the point when Hope’s workload is only going to increase, having recently been made T20I captain as well.Team news: Rutherford available for WIEngland will likely want to stick with a winning formula, but could bring in Luke Wood for his first ODI appearance in two years if they want to manage the workload of their fast bowlers.England: 1 Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, 3 Joe Root, 4 Harry Brook (capt), 5 Jos Buttler (wk), 6 Jacob Bethell, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Matthew Potts, 11 Saqib MahmoodSherfane Rutherford has been added to the squad after making the trek from India in the wake of Gujarat Titans’ elimination from the IPL playoffs and could come straight into the middle order. West Indies did not train on Monday and it remains to be seen whether Evin Lewis is fit to return at opener after being hit on the groin before the first ODI.West Indies: (possible) 1 Brandon King, 2 Evin Lewis/Jewel Andrew, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Shai Hope (capt & wk), 5 Shimron Hetmyer/Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Justin Greaves, 7 Roston Chase, 8 Matthew Forde, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Jayden SealesPitch and conditions: Raining sixes, or just raining?Another excellent batting surface should be in prospect at the Kia Oval, although it might count for little if the weather forecast doesn’t improve. A strong chance of rain during the morning and afternoon may mean a reduced-overs contest is the best we can hope for.Stats and trivia West Indies have won two of their five ODIs against England at The Oval, most recently in the 2004 Champions Trophy final. Root became the first Englishman to 7000 ODI runs during his 166 not out in Cardiff. Roston Chase needs 47 runs to reach 1000 in ODIs.Quotes”I think watching 50-over cricket and thinking about it over the last year or two, we all realise there’s so much time. Coming from T20, that’s not something you always have the luxury of.”
It’s been a learning curve for England’s ODI novices, but Will Jacks believes he’s getting used to the rhythms.

Glasgow Rangers have held positive Ibrox talks with a leading Gers manager target to replace Russell Martin.

Managers who could replace Martin at Rangers

Sunday’s 1-1 Scottish Premiership draw with Falkirk proved to be the last straw for Martin at Rangers, who was dismissed that evening.

Gers chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe have since written an open letter to Ibrox supporters, telling fans that a ‘rigorous, thoughtful recruitment process is already underway’ to find a new manager, with the pair ‘treating it with the urgency it deserves’ and are ‘deeply involved’.

A number of targets have already been linked with a move to Glasgow, including former Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl who is “appreciated by senior figures” at Ibrox.

Another candidate currently out of work is Sean Dyche. The former Everton and Burnley boss has been without a job since leaving Goodison Park, and he is thought to be very keen on moving to Glasgow.

In Europe, there have also been more names mentioned to come in and replace Martin. Dutch head coach Mark van Bommel is another “interested” in replacing Martin, whereas Spanish manager Quique Setien is also on the Gers’ radar after leaving Beijing Guoan.

Martin upgrade who's "similar to Postecoglou" in running for Rangers job

The Ibrox hierarchy are on the hunt to find an upgrade on Russell Martin at Rangers.

ByDan Emery Oct 7, 2025

A ‘fan favourite’ and one of Rangers’ top targets, though, is former Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard, and there has now been a positive development over a return to Glasgow for the former title winner.

Rangers hold positive talks with Steven Gerrard

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Rangers have now had ‘positive progress in talks with Gerrard’ over a reunion at Ibrox.

It was stated on Monday that discussions were set to continue and that negotiations are complex, however, the ball appears to be rolling in regards to a move back to Glasgow for the 45-year-old.

Gerrard, who plays an attacking 4-3-3 system, averaged 2.15 points per game during his 192 matches in charge of Rangers between 2018-2021, winning the Scottish Premiership in 2020.

Days in charge

1,228

Games

192

Wins

124

Goals per game

2.12

Players used

65

His assistant from his time at Ibrox, Gary McAllister, was even asked about a return to Rangers with Gerrard on Monday, to which he said:

“We had a wonderful time there. We really enjoyed our time there. Steven did an amazing job to get that 55th title.

“He’s always going to be linked with Glasgow Rangers, he loved his time up there. You never know what can happen.”

Rangers look set to take their time when appointing their fourth manager of 2025 due to the current international break, but by the looks of things, a return to Ibrox for Gerrard is a real possibility.

Being the massive club they are, Arsenal have had some genuine world-class stars play for them over the years.

Most fans will go straight to the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pirès, but there is another who perhaps deserves more respect: Cesc Fàbregas.

The Spaniard certainly tarnished his reputation in the way he left and then joined Chelsea, but during his time in North London, he was utterly incredible, racking up a tally of 57 goals and 95 assists in 303 appearances.

Arsenal have had their fair share of unreal midfielders since, but there is one player in Mikel Arteta’s current squad who could be on his way to emulating Fabregas at his very best this season.

Ranking Arsenal's best midfielders since Fabregas

A name that springs to mind when thinking about some of the best offensive midfielders Arsenal have had since Fabregas left is Aaron Ramsey.

The Welsh international was never on the same level as the Spaniard, but there were points in his tenure at the club when he was near enough unplayable.

For example, in the 13/14 season, the Cardiff-born monster scored 16 goals and provided nine assists in 34 appearances, and while he left for free in 2019, he did so with three FA Cups to his name, and as something of an Emiratés icon.

Another icon of the Emirartes era and one who arguably was as talented as the Como manager, but supremely unlucky with injuries, was Santi Cazorla.

The 40-year-old magician joined the club for under £15m in the summer of 2012 and went on to score 29 goals and provide 44 assists in 180 games before leaving in 2018.

However, the numbers alone don’t do the Lugo de Llanera-born star justice, as, at his best, watching him play football was breathtaking. He could use both feet with ease, could spot a pass way before anyone else and had sensational close control.

The firm fan favourite is perhaps one of the best examples of a ‘what if’ player, as at his best, he could do whatever he wanted.

Finally, when it comes to superstar midfielders in the years after Fabregas, you cannot ignore Mesut Ozil.

Yes, his last couple of years at the club were nothing short of a disaster, but for a significant period of his time in North London, he had a fair chance of being the best ten in the Premier League.

Appearances

254

Starts

237

Minutes

20816′

Goals

44

Assists

77

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

Minutes per Goal Involvement

172.03′

Points per Game

1.89

By the time he left the club, the former Real Madrid star had made 254 appearances, in which he scored 44 goals, provided 77 assists and won four FA Cups.

And now, it looks like one of Arteta’s signings could reach the levels Fabregas did this season.

The Arsenal star who could reach Fabregas levels

There is plenty of excitement around the potential of Ethan Nwaneri, and the arrival of Eberechi Eze has bolstered Arteta’s midfield options.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, in this instance, the player who could potentially reach the level of a prime Fabregas this season is Martin Odegaard.

Now, it’s undoubtedly true that last season was the Norwegian’s worst in an Arsenal shirt, and led many to consider whether he was good enough to lead the club.

However, it’s essential to remember that he suffered an ankle injury early on, and in the two previous campaigns, the “world-class” talent, as dubbed by ex-Arsenal star Paul Merson, was named the club’s Player of the Year.

Moreover, based on his performance in the last two games, he looks to be getting back to his very best, if not surpassing it.

For example, once he came off the bench against Newcastle United, his passing was perfect, and he got the ball to Declan Rice for him to cross to Mikel Merino for the equaliser.

Then, on Wednesday night, he started against Olympiacos and delivered what might be his most impressive performance in years, living up to the billing that he is “more complete than Bergkamp and Ozil” in the words of fellow Norwegian John Arne Riise.

The manager seemed to give him more license to roam, and so, instead of sticking to the right-hand side, he was popping up here, there and everywhere, and it was difficult to keep track of every brilliant pass through the Greek side’s backline he played.

While he did finally get his assist courtesy of a Bukayo Saka finish towards the end, on another night, he could have ended up with two or three.

Now, when you combine this renewed “sensational” passing ability, as one content creator put it, with the fact he’s being allowed to play more of a central midfield role and roam, it doesn’t feel absurd to suggest he could start putting in the sort of performances Fabregas once did at his prime.

Ultimately, there is still so much of the season to go, so if this is just the start of a fully fit Odegaard, then Arteta and Arsenal could have an incredible campaign with him pulling the strings in the middle of the park.

Arsenal have signed a "powerhouse" who looks like a new Saka-type player

Arsenal may have found a new talisman, akin to Bukayo Saka.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 2, 2025

Chelsea chiefs are already making recruitment plans ahead of 2026, and they have their eyes on a former player to bolster Enzo Maresca’s ranks after failing to fulfill some of their transfer goals in the summer.

While the Blues recorded England’s second-highest expenditure during the last window, second only behind Premier League champions Liverpool, Chelsea also wanted a new goalkeeper and centre-back.

The Premier League’s biggest summer spenders

Team

Spent

Received

Net Spend

Liverpool

£415,000,000

£187,000,000

£228,000,000

Chelsea

£285,000,000

£288,000,000

-£3,000,000

Arsenal

£255,000,000

£9,000,000

£246,000,000

Newcastle

£250,000,000

£152,000,000

£98,000,000

Man Utd

£216,000,000

£68,000,000

£148,000,000

Nottm Forest

£205,000,000

£107,000,000

£98,000,000

Tottenham

£181,000,000

£36,000,000

£145,000,000

Sunderland

£162,000,000

£44,000,000

£118,000,000

Man City

£152,000,000

£53,000,000

£99,000,000

West Ham

£124,000,000

£55,000,000

£69,000,000

via BBC

Doubts have surrounded Robert Sanchez and his long-term capability as Chelsea’s number one shot-stopper, prompting the west Londoners to try their hand at a move for France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

AC Milan and BlueCo couldn’t agree on a price for the 30-year-old, as Chelsea were only prepared to pay around £12 million and the Rossoneri wanted closer to £25 million (Ben Jacobs).

Reports suggest Chelsea are still planning to sign Maignan, this time on a pre-contract in 2026 as his contract ticks down towards expiry this season.

Meanwhile, Chelsea also failed with a move for centre-back Dean Huijsen in the summer, as per reliable media sources, with the Spain international starlet eventually joining Real Madrid in a £50 million deal.

Maresca’s side remained in the market for a keeper and defender until the latter weeks of the window (Simon Phillips), but it appears as if Chelsea couldn’t secure targets of the desired quality to reinforce their squad.

Rest assured, their aim to bring in defensive options for between the sticks and outfield hasn’t waned, with Chelsea believed to be among the many contenders to sign Crystal Palace stalwart Marc Guehi on a free transfer next year.

Guehi was on the verge of joining Liverpool in a deadline day move and was given permission to undergo a Merseyside medical. The Reds submitted a deal sheet so they could secure a deal past the 7pm cut-off point too, but Palace U-turned on a deal at the final moment, which forced the England international to remain at Selhurst Park (Sky Sports).

Now, a host of elite sides are lining up to sign Guehi as a free agent next summer, including Liverpool, Man City, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Chelsea "determined" to re-sign Marc Guehi

According to TUTTOmercatoWEB, via Juve FC, Chelsea are also “determined” to re-sign Guehi after he departed Stamford Bridge for Palace in 2021.

However, they face stiff competition from Juventus, who want to open talks for the 25-year-old at the earliest possible opportunity.

The Old Lady could offer an intriguing opportunity to contend for the Serie A title as they look to reestablish their dominance of Italy after a disappointing last few years, but there is reason to believe Guehi would thrive alongside the likes of Levi Colwill (injured), Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana back at his former home.

Why Chelsea should go all out for Marc Guehi

The defender has established himself as a firm England international regular and an undroppable for Thomas Tuchel, with Guehi looking like a shoo-in for the 2026 World Cup squad after an impressive Euro 2024 replacing Harry Maguire.

Calm on the ball, strong in the air and quick across the ground, he offers the all-round skillset modern centre-backs need. Chelsea have been crying out for a consistent presence at the back after repeated defensive injuries over the last few years. Guehi’s blend of composure and leadership could instantly raise the level.

At zero cost, it’s practically a no-brainer, with the only concern being Chelsea’s serious competition for his signature.

Steve Parish branded Guehi a “superstar”, and Chelsea signing him for free would undoubtedly be a major coup.

Despite already welcoming Callum Wilson, West Ham United have now reportedly made contact to sign another striker target who’s keen on a move to the Premier League.

Hermansen: West Ham step "great" for career

Following a quiet start, West Ham’s summer is finally beginning to heat up. With around two weeks until deadline day arrives, the Hammers have now welcomed El Hadji Malick Diouf, Wilson, Kyle-Walker Peters, Daniel Cummings and, in their latest deal, Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen. The latter is a particularly impressive arrival and was full of anticipation after putting pen to paper.

Just how many of West Ham’s new arrivals feature in their opening day clash against Sunderland is now the big question. In a game against one of the three newly-promoted sides, the Hammers have the chance to lay down a marker against any potential relegation battle ahead of what needs to be a much improved campaign.

Most exciting player since Payet: West Ham now want to sign £20m "menace"

West Ham are looking to sign an attacker this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Aug 14, 2025

Meanwhile, away from the pitch, the London club are still reportedly on the hunt for attacking reinforcements.

West Ham make contact to sign En-Nesyri

According to reports in Spain, West Ham have now opened talks to sign Youssef En-Nesyri from Fenerbahce this summer. The Turkish club reportedly value their forward at more than €40m (£35m), with negotiations now underway between themselves and the Hammers.

Of course, it’s not the first time that En-Nesyri has found himself on West Ham’s radar. Before he completed a move to Fenerbahce last season, the 28-year-old was targeted by the London club during his time at Sevilla, who won the Europa League with the Moroccan leading the line.

Now, after just one year in Turkey, En-Nesyri could finally be on his way to the Premier League and the London Stadium. As the numbers highlight too, West Ham’s interest should come as no surprise.

Minutes

2,001

370

Goals

20

0

Assists

4

0

Dubbed “exceptional” by Jose Mourinho, En-Nesyri is at the peak of his powers and would be an instant upgrade on an ageing, injury-prone Wilson.

For around £35m, the Fenerbahce star would prove to be an undeniable striker given how difficult it is to find 20-goal strikers at an affordable price in today’s market.

Heather Knight has urged the cricket community to lend its voice to the Afghanistan women’s team amid concerns that the group had been largely “forgotten” until a row broke out last week over the England men’s team playing Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy.England are due to play Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26 in their second match of the tournament and the ECB has faced calls from UK politicians to consider boycotting the match. UK prime minister Keir Starmer and ECB chief executive Richard Gould have called upon the ICC to show leadership on the issue.Women’s cricket in Afghanistan has effectively been outlawed since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Further restrictions have included banning the sound of women’s voices from being heard in public.Related

• 'A real beacon of hope' – CA sees Afghanistan women's match as first step

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Some 22 women contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board before the Taliban took control fled to Australia and are now based in Melbourne and Canberra. A number of them will play for an Afghanistan Women’s XI against a Cricket Without Borders XI in a T20 match at Melbourne’s Junction Oval on January 30, the same day England and Australia begin their Women’s Ashes day-night Test at the MCG.Knight, England Women’s captain, plans to meet a number of exiled players, who are now based in Melbourne, when they attend the second Ashes ODI at Junction Oval on Tuesday.”I think it’s a really good thing that people are talking about it and it’s been in the news again because honestly, I think it’s been forgotten a lot which is a really bad thing,” Knight said. “Obviously, it’s a really complex situation with what’s going on but I think the biggest positive can be that group of women being talked about.”They’re playing a game at Junction the first day of our Test match so I’d love to see that broadcast far and wide. Let’s get that voice out there that those women are playing cricket, which is a really cool thing. I think that could be a really positive message from a pretty heartbreaking situation going on in their home country.”

تتزايد الدعوات في الوقت الحالي من أجل تعليق مشاركة إسرائيل في مسابقات كرة القدم، في ضوء المجازر التي يرتكبها العدو الصهيوني ضد الفلسطينيين في قطاع غزة.

ويتعرض أهل قطاع غزة لعدوان غاشم منذ ما يقرب من عامين على يد العدو الصهيوني، وأعلنت لجنة التحقيق التابعة للأمم المتحدة بشكل رسمي أن ما يلقاه الشعب الفلسطيني يُعد إبادة جماعية.

ويشارك المنتخب الإسرائيلي حاليًا في التصفيات الأوروبية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026، بينما يشارك نادي مكابي تل أبيب في منافسات الدوري الأوروبي ذلك الموسم.

وقد أبلغ مسؤول بارز في أحد اتحادات كرة القدم، شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية، أن العديد من الدول تضغط من أجل إجراء تصويت على استبعاد إسرائيل من كرة القدم الأوروبية، وأن مسؤولي يويفا يرغبون في اتخاذ إجراء.

ووقعت مجموعة مكونة من 48 رياضيًا على رسالة مشتركة، يوم الجمعة الماضي، تدعو إلى تعليق مشاركة إسرائيل على الصعيد الرياضي، حسبما ذكرت شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية.

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وأفادت صحيفة “تايمز” أن التصويت قد يُجرى في أقرب وقت، في غضون أيام، وأن رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي بنيامين نتنياهو يشن حملة ضده، بينما تعهدت وزارة الخارجية الأمريكية بمقاومة أي محاولة لمنع إسرائيل من التأهل المحتمل لكأس العالم.

وأشارت “بي بي سي” إلى أن مجموعة الرياضيين، المذكورة سلفًا، دعت إلى تعليق مشاركة إسرائيل في كافة المسابقات الرياضية بشكل فوري حتى تلتزم بالقانون الدولي وتتوقف عن قتل المدنيين في غزة.

وأفادت أن الفرنسي بول بوجبا يُعد أبرز الموقعين على البيان، في حين أن لاعب خط وسط كريستال بالاس شيخ دوكوري هو اللاعب الوحيد في الدوري الإنجليزي الذي وقع على تلك العريضة.

إلى جانب ذلك، هناك المصري سام مرسي لاعب إيبسويتش تاون السابق، ولاعب تشيلسي السابق حكيم زياش، إلى جانب لاعب الكريكيت الإنجليزي السابق معين علي.

وقال الموقعون، في بيانهم، إنهم “صوت موحد لمحترفي الرياضة من جميع أنحاء العالم، يدافعون عن العدالة والإنصاف والإنسانية في الرياضة”، مؤكدين على أن “أفعال إسرائيل تنتهك القانون الإنساني الدولي وتتناقض مع مبادئ الاحترام والسلامة والسلام التي تمثلها الرياضة”.

وأوضحوا: “الرياضة ليست محايدة في مواجهة الظلم، الصمت يعني القبول بأن حياة البعض أقل قيمة من حياة الآخرين”.

وسبق لـ يويفا معارضة كافة دعوات منع إسرائيل من المشاركة في مسابقاته، حيث صرح ألكسندر تشيفيرين في أغسطس الماضي بأنه يعارض الحظر بشكل عام، قائلًا: “أعتقد أنه يجب أن تتاح لجميع الرياضيين فرصة المنافسة، وأن تُعامل الأمور الأخرى بشكل مختلف”.

وتعرض يويفا لانتقادات شديدة – بما في ذلك من نجم ليفربول محمد صلاح – قبل شهر عندما نشر خبرًا عن لاعب كرة القدم الفلسطيني سليمان العبيد على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، دون إيضاح ملابسات وفاته.

وكان الاتحاد الفلسطيني لكرة القدم قد أعلن بأنه اُستشهد في هجوم إسرائيلي أثناء انتظاره مساعدات إنسانية في جنوب قطاع غزة، مؤكدًا على أن عدد لاعبي كرة القدم الذين اُستشهدوا أو ماتوا جوعًا في غزة بلغ 421 لاعبًا، من بينهم 103 أطفال.