ENGLAND take on Italy in the Nations League on Friday night with World Cup opponents Wales in action against Belgium tonight.
Gareth Southgate is targeting World Cup glory in Qatar and this is the last opportunity for Southgate to take a good look at his squad ahead of the tournament.
David Silva has been fined for grabbing a woman in an altercation in Spain.
And Mark Noble has been named sporting director at West Ham.
How to get free bets on football – the 17 best bookies to claim rewards and bonuses
Stay up to date with all the latest from around the grounds…
- Sam Dymond
Caretaker in contention for award
Bournemouth caretaker boss Gary O'Neil has been nominated for September's Manager of the Month award alongside two of the biggest names in Europe.
The 39-year-old is up against Tottenham's Antonio Conte and Manchester United's Erik ten Hag after ensuring the Cherries went undefeated following the sacking of Scott Parker.
O'Neil masterminded a comeback from 2-0 down at Nottingham Forest to win his first game in charge, and then followed it up with a positive 1-1 draw at Newcastle United.
A home game with fellow south coast club Brighton was postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Conte, meanwhile, oversaw two Spurs wins from two while Ten Hag's United won matches against Leicester and Arsenal.
- Sam Dymond
Six nominated for September award
Six Premier League stars have been nominated for September's Player of the Month award.
Despite a schedule shortened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Manchester pair Kevin De Bruyne and Marcus Rashford caught the eye.
City's De Bruyne weighed in with three assists in two games, while United forward Rashford bagged his first double since December 2020 in the 3-1 win over Arsenal while also setting up debutant Antony.
Also nominated for the award are Bournemouth’s Philip Billing, Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey, Everton’s Alex Iwobi and Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
- Sam Dymond
Isak withdraws from Sweden squad
Newcastle record signing Alexander Isak has pulled out of the Sweden squad after picking up a minor injury.
The 23-year-old forward had been training alone after enduring a 'little feeling' but has now withdrawn completely ahead of Nations League games with Serbia and Slovenia.
It's a further worry for Eddie Howe, who has recently been without fellow forwards Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin due to injury issues.
It is not yet clear which – if any – of the attacking trio will be fit to face Fulham in the first game back after the international break.
- Sam Dymond
Noble role for Hammers legend
Mark Noble will return to West Ham United as sporting director in the new year.
The midfielder hung up his boots in the summer after 24 years with the Hammers, in which he made 550 senior appearances for the club.
Noble will begin in his newly-created role on January 2, and will be responsible for supporting David Moyes, and working with the board of directors.
“I’m really happy to be coming back and can’t wait to get started," he said.
"I’d like to thank the club for giving me the opportunity – it’s a great honour for me to take up this role at West Ham United.
"I feel that it is a great opportunity for me to make a real contribution and help the club in a number of different ways."
Credit: @WestHam Twitter - Sam Dymond
Football disorder hits eight-year high
Disorder at football matches in England and Wales reached its highest point in eight years during the 2021-22 season, according to a Home Office report.
The official document released this morning shows that the number of football-related arrests (2,198) during the last campaign was the most since 2013-14.
That figure in an increase of 59% from the 2018-19 campaign, the last season with a full record of data before the global pandemic struck.
Meanwhile, there were 384 arrests for hate crimes, a rise of 99%, and 441 arrests for a pitch incursions, a figure up 127%.
There were a total of 516 banning orders handed out last term.
- Sam Dymond
Toffees sweating on Patterson injury
Everton face an anxious wait to find out the extent of Nathan Patterson's injury after he was stretchered off during the first half of Scotland's 3-0 win over Ukraine at Hampden Park.
The right-back landed awkwardly after challenging for a header, indicating to medical stuff that there was discomfort with his knee.
Patterson has been one of Frank Lampard's bright lights this season, playing every minute of all seven Premier League games so far.
However, Scotland boss Steve Clarke admitted last night that the situation 'does not look good'.
The Toffees are already without the sidelined Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jordan Pickford, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Mason Holgate and Andros Townsend.
- Sam Dymond
Rodgers to be given time
Underfire Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers will be given the chance to turn the Foxes' season around, according to The Athletic.
Many expected the Northern Irishman to be shown the door at the King Power after a sixth successive league defeat at the weekend.
However, it appears as though the board are sympathetic to the disastrous start to the season considering that four of those losses have come against big six clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.
Bottom-of-the-table Leicester's first match after the international break is a crunch home encounter with local rivals Nottingham Forest, the side directly above them in the Premier League.
And while defeat to Forest would likely seal Rodgers' fate, a win could set them up nicely for the favourable schedule that follows.
- Sam Dymond
Real to end Mbappe interest
Real Madrid will NOT reignite their desire to sign Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, according to reports in Spain.
El Debate claim that Los Blancos president Florentino Perez remains furious with the way in which the LaLiga giants were snubbed by the French international earlier this year.
After months of speculation, Mbappe was expected to move to Madrid in the summer – but instead u-turned and signed a new three-year contract at PSG.
Perez is said to have felt 'betrayed' by Mbappe's decision to stay in France.
- Sam Dymond
Warne set to join Rams
Paul Warne is expected to be officially unveiled as the new Derby County manager later today.
The 49-year-old will move to Pride Park after six years in charge at Rotherham, replacing Liam Rosenior in the Rams hot seat.
It will mean the former midfielder drops down a division from the Championship to League One.
Warne led the Millers to three promotions from the third tier during his time in South Yorkshire, and will be targeting another such success with his new club.
- Sam Dymond
Conte considering shock Juve return
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has been linked with a shock return to Juventus, according to reports in Italy this morning.
The Serie A giants are said to be on the verge of sacking current manager Max Allegri after a disappointing start to the season – and want their former favourite as his replacement.
Conte managed the Old Lady between 2011 and 2014, having spent 13 years there during his playing career.
Worryingly for Spurs fans, the 53-year-old is understood to be 'open' to the idea of a Turin reunion.
The rumours are fuelled by the fact that the Conte is yet to sign a contract extension at Tottenham beyond the end of the campaign.
Juve have won just twice in nine matches in all competitions this term, losing three of the last four.
- Kealan Hughes
Good morning football fans
Chelsea have sacked their commercial director amid sexual harassment claims and X-rated tweets just two weeks after appointing him.
The Blues confirmed Damian Willoughby's dismissal after football finance agent Catalina Kim provided "evidence of inappropriate messages".
According to The Telegraph, Kim produced texts showing that Willoughby asked if she was naked and introduced sex as a subject, whilst he also posted an alleged sexually-explicit video.
She also said he suggested he would arrange a meeting with Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano if she agreed to be “naughty”.
The West Londoners dismissed Willoughby after Kim alerted the club's president of business Tom Glick about conduct dating back to before he was brought in as a senior executive earlier in September.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have turned their attention to bringing in Leeds' Victor Orta or Bayer Leverkusen’s Tim Steidten as new sporting director.
Christoph Freund has confirmed that he has snubbed the Blues’ bid to stay at Red Bull Salzburg.
Now a fresh report from The Telegraph claims new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has two other targets in mind.
The report suggests that “Steidten is among those Chelsea are set to talk to” about the vacant job.
While “the merits of Leeds director of football Orta are understood to have been discussed” by the West Londoners' hierarchy “along with others” being considered.
And five clubs have been embroiled in an intense bidding war for Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham.
According to The Athletic, Manchester United, Chelsea, City and Liverpool are eager to sign Bellingham while Real Madrid retain a strong interest.
But Dortmund are demanding at least £130million for the midfielder which would make him the most expensive English player of all-time as he would surpass Jack Grealish and his £100m move to City last year.
Finally, six clubs are keeping tabs on Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk ahead of the January transfer window.
According to Calciomercato, Liverpool and Sevilla are ready to test the waters for Mudryk, who is also a top target for Arsenal.
Meanwhile CBS Sports’ transfer expert Ben Jacobs has stated that as well as the Gunners and Sevilla, Newcastle, Ajax and Bayer Leverkusen are weighing up moves for the winger.
The Ukraine international has even talked up a switch to the Emirates after insisting he “can’t say no to Arsenal”, but stressed the club has to reach a deal with Shakhtar first
- Kostas Lianos
Kane to wear ‘OneLove’ armband
Tottenham superstar Harry Kane will wear a special armband in Qatar as England and Wales are part of a unified European approach to pushing a human rights agenda at the 2022 World Cup.
As part of the “OneLove” campaign, England captain Kane and his fellow skippers from Wales, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and Switzerland will wear armbands backing the cause.
The logo is a heart filled with the rainbow colours, now identified as a symbol of backing LGBTQ rights.
It means support for gay footballers and fans will be carried on the arms of eight teams playing in a country where homosexuality is currently banned.
- Kostas Lianos
Abramovich almost bought Arsenal
Roman Abramovich could have bought Arsenal instead of Chelsea but was mistakenly warned off by Swiss bankers, reports SunSport’s Rob Maul.
The shocking revelations were made in the book, The Club, penned by two Wall Street Journal writers.
The book claims Abramovich hired Swiss bank UBS to examine the economics regarding English top-flight football in 2003.
One of their findings reveals that “Arsenal were categorically not for sale”.
Abramovich instead took over the Blues for £140million and went on to win five Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.
The book also reveals ex-Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein believed the club’s owners would have cashed in if the Russian oligarch had offered
- Kostas Lianos
De-stay and fight
Manchester United and Tottenham transfer target Memphis Depay claims he snubbed summer moves as he relished fighting for his place at Barcelona.
Memphis spent two years at United before his exit for Lyon in 2017 after a hapless stint at Old Trafford.
Memphis told ESPN: “Other clubs came and then you just look at your options. I decided to fight for my chance here.
“I was the top scorer of Barca with [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang. I love competition and I don’t walk away from it. I enjoy being at Barca”
Credit: Rex - Kostas Lianos
Let’s be Frenk
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong revealed he never wanted to join Manchester United last summer.
De Jong was handed an ultimatum to either leave or take a major pay cut at the Nou Camp.
And so a deal between United and Barca for the midfielder, which would see him reunite with ex-Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, worth £72million was agreed.
But despite the financial dispute, the Blaugrana and the Netherlands international repaired their damaged relationship – something the player wanted all along.
De Jong said: “I always wanted to stay at Barcelona and this is why I always remained calm in the summer”
- Kostas Lianos
Blues hunt continues
Chelsea have turned their attention to bringing in Leeds' Victor Orta or Bayer Leverkusen’s Tim Steidten as new sporting director.
Christoph Freund has confirmed that he has snubbed the Blues to stay at Red Bull Salzburg.
Now a fresh report from The Telegraph states new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has two other targets in mind.
The report suggests that “Steidten is among those Chelsea are set to talk to” about the vacant role.
While “the merits of Leeds director of football Orta are understood to have been discussed” by the West Londoners' chiefs “along with others” being considered
- Kostas Lianos
Cup for it
Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United will be offered the chance to play one-off early FA Cup matches to avoid a New Year fixtures pile-up.
Wembley chiefs are ready to agree to scrap some FA Cup third and fourth-round replays to ease this season’s match congestion.
While the vast majority of ties will still have second matches if required, teams in the Champions League and Europa League will be offered the option of settling ties on the day.
FA bosses recognise that the issues of an already-congested season due to the six-week World Cup break have been exacerbated by the postponements caused by The Queen’s passing.
The seven teams in European competitions face nine games next month compared to the six matches scheduled for the other 13 sides.
This month’s 13 postponements mean Arsenal, City, Chelsea, Liverpool and United will head into the second half of the campaign two Prem fixtures behind schedule and facing potentially playing 42 matches between Boxing Day and the end of the season.
That potential backlog will see FA chiefs agree to giving them dispensation to settle some ties on the day rather than face extra matches
- Kostas Lianos
More from Pulisic
Adding further insight into their strained relationship, Christian Pulisic also revealed how his goal against Real Madridlast season came after he ignored Thomas Tuchel’s instructions.
Pulisic added on his book ‘Christian Pulisic: My Journey So Far’: “As I take off on the run, I hear Thomas Tuchel yelling from the sideline, 'Christian, stay in the pocket, don't make the run!'
“But I just had the feeling I'd find the space and get on the end of the pass, so I continued the run”
Credit: Reuters - Kostas Lianos
Pulisic slams Tuchel
Chelsea ace Christian Pulisic has taken aim at his former manager Thomas Tuchel in his upcoming book ‘Christian Pulisic: My Journey So Far’ as he remembered last year’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid.
Pulisic wrote: “What happened before that game was hugely disappointing for me.
“l'd had a really good first leg performance and our following match was against Fulham in the league. Tuchel told me that he was resting me for the second leg and as a result I didn't play a single minute in the Fulham game.
“Then on match day of the second semi, Tuchel tells me he's changed his mind and he's going with Kai [Havertz].
“I honestly was dumbfounded and very disappointed. I thought that I'd earned a start and, most importantly, he had assured me previously I was going to start”
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal to target Locatelli
Arsenal may reignite their interest in Juventus ace Manuel Locatelli after failing to sign him last year.
Locatelli snubbed a transfer to the Emirates after Euro 2020 as he opted instead to link up with Juve from Sassuolo.
The midfielder linked up with the Bianconeri on an initial two-year loan, with the Serie A outfit obligated to turn his temporary stay into a permanent transfer for £30million.
But the Italy international has struggled to live up to expectations in Turin, and it has been claimed that he could be facing an uncertain future.
According to Calciomercato, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has been left underwhelmed by the player since his arrival.
And this has led to speculation over whether he could soon be leaving the club, with Paul Pogba to replace him in the line-up once the ex-Manchester United superstar is fully fit
- Kostas Lianos
Maur to come
Ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is still holding out for a return to the Premier League despite being targeted by Nice.
According to ESPN, the Ligue 1 club, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are considering a change in the dugout with Lucien Favre under massive pressure.
Ratcliffe believes Pochettino, who led Paris Saint-Germain to last season’s title, is the right man for the job.
However, the Argentinean tactician is unlikely to take up a new position in France as he instead wants to return to England, where he is confident of landing a job with a side challenging for honours
- Kostas Lianos
Staying in Tuch
Thomas Tuchel is still in London despite being sacked by Chelsea only a fortnight ago.
Tuchel was quickly replaced by Graham Potter but is already being linked with a fast return to the dugout with Bayern Munich.
However, the 49-year-old seems happy to remain living in the capital after a photo emerged of him posing with a supporter yesterday.
An Instagram account named @KarimZahlann shared the photo, with several other Chelsea accounts claiming that the individual was a Blues fan and thanked him for his work before asking for a snap.
Credit: Instagram @karimzahlann - Kostas Lianos
Willian's Chelsea admission
Willian has called his choice of snubbing a move to Tottenham in favour of Chelsea as the "best decision of my career".
In the summer 2013 the winger was completing a medical at Spurs and on the verge of signing for them when a call came in from the Blues, who ultimately hijacked him.
The Fulham ace told The Athletic: “Chelsea came on the day I was going to sign the contract with Spurs. I was at Tottenham’s training ground to finalise the deal when the call came.
"I said, ‘OK, I want to go there!' I only wanted to go there. It was the best decision of my career!”
- Kostas Lianos
Ronaldo vow reminder
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo revealed he is determined to lead Portugal after this winter’s World Cup in Qatar all the way to Euro 2024 when he will be 39.
After being awarded a trophy last night at the Quinas de Ouro awards, Ronaldo said: “I hope to be a part of the Federation for a few more years. I still feel motivated, my ambition is high.
“My path in the national team is not over. We have many quality youngsters.
“I will be at the World Cup and I want to be at the European [tournament in] 2024”
- Kostas Lianos
Diaby bidding war
Five Premier League clubs are eyeing Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby.
Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle are said to have sent scouts to monitor the 23-year-old this season.
The France international has featured 134 times for Leverkusen netting 36 goals, 17 of which took place last year.
A fee of £50-£60million is believed to be enough to convince the Bundesliga outfit to sell their winger.
However, the price could go even higher with so many big names interested
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