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Chelsea have been dealt a major blow after they decided not to include a buy-back clause in the deal for Diego Moreira, who has been dubbed the "new Marcelo" amid a strong run of form. Moreira’s latest masterclass came in Strasbourg’s electrifying 3-3 draw with Paris Saint-Germain, where he notched both a goal and an assist against the reigning European champions.

Getty ImagesFrom Chelsea prospect to Ligue 1 sensation

When Chelsea sold Moreira to Strasbourg in 2024, the move was viewed as part of the club’s broader development network strategy under the BlueCo ownership. They used their French affiliate to give promising young players more playing time. But now, that decision looks increasingly short-sighted. Unlike other similar transfers, such as Mathis Amougou’s move to Strasbourg, which included a buy-back clause, Moreira’s deal came with no such safeguard. That means the Blues have no direct route to re-sign him, even as his market value and reputation soar, as reported by Moreira’s versatility has only strengthened his appeal. He’s been deployed everywhere from left wing-back to right-sided forward, even operating as a support striker against PSG. That ability to adapt and excel in multiple positions is precisely what Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been trying to cultivate within his current squad. Hence, the lack of a buy-back clause is even more baffling.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportHato yet to break into Maresca's starting XI

Chelsea do have other young talents pushing for recognition, notably Jorrel Hato, the 19-year-old defender signed from Ajax in a £37 million ($49.35m) summer deal. Yet despite his promise, Hato has been restricted to cameo appearances so far, as Maresca continues to balance youth integration with the demands of a top-four Premier League push. It is understood that Chelsea’s hierarchy still believes their best long-term solutions lie within the current setup. Strasbourg, meanwhile, are reaping the rewards. Alongside Moreira, they boast another emerging star in Valentin Barco, the Argentine former Brighton man who has impressed with his technical brilliance. He has flourished under Strasbourg’s system, often operating as a central or attacking midfielder rather than his traditional left-sided role. 

Injury boost for Maresca before Ajax visit

While Chelsea ponder the one that slipped away, manager Enzo Maresca has another issue closer to home, the prolonged absence of striker Liam Delap. The 22-year-old joined the Blues from Ipswich Town in June after a breakout season and immediately made an impression, helping Chelsea lift the Club World Cup during the summer. But his momentum came to a halt when he limped off early in the 2-0 win over Fulham on August 30, just his third Premier League match of the campaign. However, speaking on Tuesday, Maresca provided a positive update on the forward’s recovery: "Liam is very close. He is not working with us yet, he is still out but hopefully he can start in the next days to take part in the session with us."

With Delap sidelined and Nicolas Jackson now on loan at Bayern Munich, Joao Pedro has been Chelsea’s lone recognised striker in recent weeks. The Brazilian has impressed in flashes, bagging two goals and three assists in his first eight league appearances. But with Pedro now suspended for Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Ajax, Maresca faces another tactical puzzle. However, the Italian manager remains unfazed, as he added: "We have him [Guiu], we have also Tyrique [George] who has played games as a nine in the past. He did well. He played I think against Benfica as a nine. We have different options. We have one more session this afternoon and then we decide. We trust Marc. We trust already last year, he was always playing in the Conference [League]. We also gave him some Premier League games so we show in the past that we trust Marc. Now he is again with us and he is going to play games for sure."

Moreover, Maresca will be relieved with the return of Enzo Fernandez after the Argentine missed the fixture against Nottingham Forest last weekend. 

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Getty Images SportMaresca keen to build on the momentum

Chelsea have stitched together a three-game winning streak, which started with a 1-0 win over Jose Mourinho's Benfica in the Champions League before the international break. They beat Liverpool next and followed it up with another neat display against Nottingham Forest last Saturday. Maresca has three more games in October, and he will look to win each of them, starting with the continental battle against Ajax at the Bridge. Next up will be Sunderland on Saturday, and then the Blues have a trip to Molineux slated for a League Cup fourth-round tie against Wolves. 

Tottenham Hotspur’s deal to land Tanguy Ndombele back in the summer of 2019 was one that generated huge excitement amongst the fanbase, with the hope that the midfielder could take the club to the next level.

The hierarchy forked out a then club-record fee of around £62m for his signature, but it rapidly transpired that such a deal would be a huge waste of money.

He only featured 91 times for the Lilywhites over a five-year period, before being released in the summer of 2024 – leaving on a free transfer to join Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice.

Whilst Ndombele was capable of producing a moment of magic, they were too far and between, leading to his attitude and fitness being brought into question.

However, one other big-money addition has also struggled to make himself a fan-favourite, which has once again highlighted the club’s struggles within the transfer market.

Richarlison’s struggles at Spurs in 2025/26

After costing £50m back in the summer of 2022, Brazilian forward Richarlison also had high hopes to succeed at Spurs, but he’d largely been a backup option in years gone by.

However, the arrival of Thomas Frank has given him a new lease of life in North London, with the Dane handing him a start in five of the seven league outings during the 2025/26 campaign.

The 28-year-old scored twice in the opening day victory over Burnley, but has since scored just once, often struggling to have a positive impact on any of the encounters.

His latest start came against Bodo Glimt, but he was unable to make the desired effect, only registering ten touches of the ball during his 90-minute performance.

He was subsequently dropped to the bench for the recent victory over Leeds United at Elland Road, further highlighting his inability to impress as of late under Frank.

Throughout his 101 appearances for the Lilywhites, the Brazilian has only managed to find the net on 23 occasions – a tally which has fallen way below the standards set by the fanbase.

However, despite his lack of success, another player currently on the books looks like a bigger waste of money, with such a deal being one of the worst in their recent history.

The Spurs player who’s the biggest waste since Ndombele

Spurs supporters have previously voiced their concerns over the lack of spending from former chairman Daniel Levy, with the 63-year-old often coming under fire for his lack of ambition.

Whilst the Lilywhites were the most profitable club in England’s top-flight during his tenure, such a feat largely came down to his lack of spending during his two-decade spell in North London.

He oversaw numerous high-profile departures from the club during his spell, with Harry Kane’s £82m transfer to Bayern Munich leaving a huge hole in the final third of the first-team squad.

12 months on from his move away from his boyhood side, the hierarchy finally landed their replacement for the Englishman, subsequently landing compatriot Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth.

The Lilywhites paid a club-record £65m to prise him away from the Cherries in the summer of 2024, with real hope and expectations placed upon his shoulders amid the transfer fee.

Last season was his first in North London, but he struggled to hit the ground running, scoring just nine Premier League goals in his 27 appearances – subsequently finding the net every three matches.

As a result of his disappointing opening year in the capital, he was labelled “woeful” by one analyst, but he was given the benefit of the doubt to try and improve his performances in 2025/26.

Games played

27

Goals scored

9

Pass accuracy

71%

Shots on target

0.9

Chances created

0.5

Dribble success

35%

Aerials won

42%

Fouls committed

1.5

However, the 28-year-old has once again suffered another injury setback, with his ankle issue preventing him from making a case for a starting role under Frank.

Solanke has only featured for a total of just 31 league minutes in 2025/26, with his fitness issues also a concern in recent times – which has certainly contributed to his lack of impact.

He also earns a small fortune in North London, with the board currently paying him a staggering £140k-per-week and taking home just shy of £7.3m in wages alone last campaign.

When coupling his transfer fee and wages together, he’s currently costing in the region of £8m per Premier League goal he’s netted – an absurd amount of money despite the huge fees constantly being spent within the modern game.

There’s no denying he still has the chance to turn things around in North London, but his injury record and lack of impact is there for all to see at present – with no end yet in sight for the England international.

If he is unable to transform things in the months ahead, he could certainly be one of the worst signings in the club’s history, potentially competing with Ndombele for that title in the process.

Not Kudus or Johnson: Spurs starlet looks like Frank's new Mbeumo

Tottenham Hotspur could have another top-level talent on their hands under Thomas Frank.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 8, 2025

It's fair to say England's homecoming didn't go to plan on Saturday. Returning to action for the first time since winning the European Championship this past summer, the Lionesses were 2-0 down just 18 minutes into their meeting with Brazil, and despite the visitors going down to 10 players not long after scoring that second, England could not make their numerical advantage count in a disappointing 2-1 defeat. What will have made the loss even more frustrating for some, though, was that it came amid a lack of experimentation from Sarina Wiegman.

"It's really good that we have four friendlies over these couple of months," the manager had said in her pre-match press conference. "What you also want to do is try out new things, see players, see different combinations, so there's a huge opportunity." Yet, the line up she wheeled out for the first instalment of this four-legged 'homecoming series' was mainly made up of the Lionesses' tried and trusted stars, featuring six players who started the Euro 2025 final and, in Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly, two established names who were regular substitutes during that tournament.

There are two sides to that story. Brazil are a top team, the South American champions no less, and to experiment too much could put any young and inexperienced players at the heart of that in a situation with more negatives than positives. "We brought players into the squad that are in our environment for the first time," Wiegman noted after Saturday's defeat. "So let's see how they adapt to the situation."

However, this ongoing international break and the one coming up in late November are the only windows England have to really try out different things until at least October 2026, because of the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Women's World Cup beginning in February. It's a period Wiegman and the Lionesses absolutely must take advantage of, in order to see which fresh faces are ready to be a part of this team as that new cycle starts.

So, which players should the England boss be looking at giving an opportunity? Ahead of Tuesday's clash with Australia, GOAL picks out six names…

Getty ImagesAnna Moorhouse

One of the most significant names in Wiegman's starting line up on Saturday was that of Khiara Keating, the 21-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper who was granted a senior international debut at the Etihad Stadium, of all places. The young shot-stopper started a little nervously but grew into the game as England finally addressed the fact that Hannah Hampton, who missed the game with injury, was the only capped goalkeeper in the squad.

However, that doesn't mean that issue is now solved. Injuries happen in football and the way that unit is fixed right now, it is vulnerable to being put in a difficult position if something was to happen, as neither Anna Moorhouse nor Sophie Baggaley, called up in light of Hampton's injury, have a cap to their name still.

Moorhouse has been around this group for a while now. She earned her first call-up in July 2024 and has not missed a camp since, with her part of the squad that won Euro 2025. Yet, she's still waiting for that debut, and Tuesday would be a great time to grant it, particularly with there no need to risk Hampton despite Wiegman admitting that she is progressing well ahead of that game.

Aged 30, Moorhouse has plenty of club experience, helping the Orlando Pride to win the NWSL Shield and Championship last year, so already presents a solid option in between the sticks. A taste of international experience, though, would certainly be beneficial if she was to be called upon in unexpected circumstances in the future.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLaura Blindkilde Brown

England don't have much established depth in the deeper midfield positions, behind Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway, but they do have one of the Women's Super League's most in-form players in that department in their squad for this window, in Laura Blindkilde Brown. The 22-year-old has been playing brilliantly, and consistently, for Manchester City at the start of this new season and looks like a perfect solution to the issue the Lionesses have in that area.

Surprisingly, given her form, Blindkilde Brown didn't get on the pitch at the Etihad on Saturday, with Wiegman opting to throw on Michelle Agyemang for the final few minutes when she withdrew Stanway. One would expect a little rotation for Tuesday's clash with Australia, though, and Blindkilde Brown should be right near the front of the queue when it comes to who is presented an opportunity in that situation. 

The former Aston Villa star only has one cap to her name so far, but should be a player who adds to that total plenty over the course of this next cycle as she looks to grow into an important piece for England.

Getty ImagesLucia Kendall

For similar reasons, it would make sense for Wiegman to get a little look at Lucia Kendall in action in this camp, too. The 21-year-old has come through the youth ranks and now stepped into the senior picture as the Lionesses look to build up that depth in midfield, having started her first season at Aston Villa, and first in the WSL, strongly.

Wiegman's comments about seeing how the newcomers in camp adapt to the environment may suggest that Kendall, accepting her first senior call-up, will have to wait for her opportunity. However, the England boss did give debuts to both Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace during their first camps last December, and the word is that Kendall is settling in nicely. It would be nice to see the midfielder – who can also play at right-back, which is another position of concern for the Lionesses when it comes to depth – get a few minutes off the bench before the window is out.

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Getty ImagesAggie Beever-Jones

Wiegman didn't make many subs on Saturday, but she did still give Aggie Beever-Jones a good 30-minute run-out, albeit in a wide role. England are lacking wingers in this camp, owing to injuries for Lauren James and Lauren Hemp and then the withdrawals of both Jess Park and Grace Clinton, so there was something of a needs-must factor involved in the decision.

However, Beever-Jones has scored more WSL goals this season than any other England international while largely playing in a central position. It's one she has essentially become the back-up for in this Lionesses squad, with Alessia Russo unlikely to lose her starting spot anytime soon, but there is a need for the Chelsea star to make more starts there in order to build greater understanding and chemistry with those who will be providing the service to her when she is in that role.

Given Russo is almost always going to be in the England line up when competitive action rolls around, friendlies are a good chance to give Beever-Jones that time on the pitch. Throw in that Russo is much less likely to be rotated out of the XI at Arsenal as well, compared to Beever-Jones in a more stacked Chelsea squad, and giving the Gunners' centre-forward a rest is another reason to switch things up in attack on Tuesday.

Kotian and Kamboj shared a 121-run stand before Kamboj got two wickets in an over

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-2025Tanush Kotian and Anshul Kamboj headlined the final day of the second unofficial Test between England Lions and India A as the match ended in a draw. The two shared an unbroken 121-run stand for the eighth wicket before Kamboj also struck twice in an over before the teams shook hands.The partnership lasted the entirety of the middle sessions, and they scored at a touch over five runs an over for the 29.4 overs they batted together.India A were already looking to accelerate towards the end of the first session, which ended with Shardul Thakur bowled by George Hill as he drove down the wrong line.Kotian and Kamboj then piled on the runs for India A, and the team decided to push back their declaration till the tea break, even if they could have had a crack at Lions earlier in the game.0:28

Watch – Gill faces Bumrah at the nets

Kotian, who signalled his intentions early in his knock with a six off Josh Tongue, took the attack to Farhan Ahmed and the 17-year-old offspinner ended up conceding over 108 runs without a wicket.Like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Thakur before him, Kotian targeted the spinner with big hits down the ground, while Kamboj was happy to dispatch anything short or overpitched from the fast bowlers.They brought up their half-century stand off just 56 balls, soon after which Kotian scored his 16th first class fifty. The tall allrounder then quickened his scoring, with an array of strokes ranging from classical shots to more improvised ones like a ramp over the slips cordon.Lions soon turned to part-time options like their openers Tom Haines and Ben McKinney as well as Emilio Gay, and it allowed Kamboj to ramp up his intent and bring up a maiden first-class fifty. Kamboj’s shot of the day was when he took on a slot ball from Haines and lofted it down the ground for six.After the tea break, the Lions came out to bat, with the declaration leaving Kotian 10 runs short of a fourth first-class century.It was Tushar Deshpande who got the first wicket when he drew Haines’ outside edge and Reddy took a diving catch to his left. Then Kamboj, in his second over, had Gay edging behind before beating Jordan Cox’s outside edge to knock him over.The day had begun for India A with Reddy and Dhruv Jurel watchfully playing out the first hour, although Tongue had Reddy edging to first slip where a regulation chance went down.Reddy was on 17 then and he later brought out some big hits against Farhan to get to 42 before Hill, in the first over of his spell, castled him with a beauty. He got a length ball to seam in from outside off, with Reddy leaving a big gap as he fended down the wrong line.In between the dropped chance and Reddy’s wicket, Eddie Jack, who extracted appreciable movement off the pitch, got one to nip away and take Jurel’s outside edge.Thakur was enterprising in his innings, cutting Jack for four and hitting back-to-back sixes down the ground off Farhan. He tried to drive Hill through mid-off but Hill got it to seam in between bat and pad to end his cameo on 34 off 47 balls.Among the bowlers from the England squad for the first Test, Chris Woakes bowled just three overs on the final day, and Tongue, who became an injury worry for the first Test when he hobbled off on the third day after bowling four overs, came out and bowled five on day four and looked in good rhythm in his spell.

Juventus are in advanced talks with ex-Italy and Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti to replace Igor Tudor, who was sacked after a dismal run of results. The Bianconeri view Spalletti as the ideal figure to lead their rebuild, with negotiations already underway following the club’s decision to appoint Massimo Brambilla as interim boss.

Juventus move swiftly after Tudor dismissal

Juventus have wasted no time in identifying a successor following the sacking of Igor Tudor on Monday. The Croatian's reign came to an abrupt end after an eight-game winless run culminated in a 1-0 defeat to Lazio, leaving the club’s leadership with little choice but to act. Tudor, who replaced Thiago Motta in March, had initially secured Champions League qualification and earned a contract extension until 2028, but his side’s poor start to the new season proved costly.

Massimo Brambilla, coach of Juve’s Next Gen side, will take charge on an interim basis for the Serie A midweek clash against Udinese. However, the club are determined to secure a long-term solution quickly, and all signs point to Spalletti emerging as the frontrunner to take the job.

According to , the former Napoli and Italy boss is understood to be open to returning to club management after stepping down from the national team earlier this year. With his proven track record in Italian football and tactical pedigree, Spalletti’s profile fits Juventus’ desire to rebuild stability and identity after years of managerial turnover.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSpalletti emerges as Juventus’ top target

According to reports, the Bianconeri have already made initial contact with Spalletti’s camp. Talks have reportedly begun through an intermediary, with the club receiving positive feedback from the 66-year-old, who is said to be “open and enthusiastic” about the idea of taking over in Turin. Juve have proposed an initial six-month contract with an option to extend, potentially linked to Champions League qualification. Spalletti, meanwhile, is believed to prefer a longer deal of around 18 months but remains flexible as discussions continue.

Having guided Napoli to their first Scudetto in over three decades during the 2022-23 season, Spalletti’s reputation as one of Serie A’s most tactically astute managers remains strong. His work with younger players and attacking philosophy align with Juventus’ recent attempts to refresh their squad under sporting director Damien Comolli.

Spalletti’s experience with Roma, Inter, and Napoli adds weight to his candidacy, while his brief but turbulent spell with the national team ending after Italy’s early Euro 2024 exit means he is eager to prove himself once more at club level.

Juventus’ managerial shortlist: Mancini, De Rossi, Xavi and more

While the former Azzurri manager remains the leading candidate, the Old Lady are also exploring several alternatives as they evaluate both sporting and financial options. Roberto Mancini, another high-profile Italian coach and former Italy boss, is one of the names on the club’s radar. Although currently out of work, Mancini’s salary demands and recent departure from Italy’s national setup could complicate negotiations.

Another potential candidate is Raffaele Palladino, a former Juventus player and free agent following his spell at Fiorentina. The 41-year-old has been endorsed by sporting consultant Francesco Modesto, who previously worked with him at Monza. Palladino would represent a more financially sustainable choice compared to Spalletti, especially with the club still paying off Thiago Motta’s contract, which runs until 2027.

According to , the Serie A giants are also keeping tabs on Daniele De Rossi, Xavi Hernandez and Edin Terzic as part of a broader contingency plan. However, sources close to the club insist that Spalletti remains the clear favourite, with talks described as “progressing positively.”

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AFPSpalletti appointment could be sealed soon

Juventus’ immediate focus will be on steadying results under interim boss Brambilla while negotiations with Spalletti advance behind the scenes. The Bianconeri face Udinese in midweek before taking on Cremonese in Serie A and Sporting CP in the Champions League – two crucial fixtures that could shape the timing of the new coach’s arrival.

The club’s hierarchy are pushing for a swift agreement, ideally finalising Spalletti’s appointment before the big clash against Sporting. Talks are said to be progressing positively, with both sides eager to reach common ground on contract terms and duration.

For Juve, the move would mark the beginning of yet another rebuild but one guided by a proven Serie A winner whose tactical acumen and leadership could reignite their domestic and continental ambitions. For Spalletti, it represents a chance at redemption and a return to the elite stage after a challenging summer with Italy.

West Ham United have splashed the cash on some big signings over the years following their move to the London Stadium.

However, the Hammers have also sold a plethora of Irons stars for mega money, even dealing with Premier League rivals on numerous occasions.

Weekly wages: West Ham United FC 2025/26 highest-paid players

The Irons’ biggest earners for the 2025/26 season…

ByCharlie Smith Sep 24, 2025

Here is a look at West Ham’s 20 largest sales in their history, with a detailed view at the top 10.

1

Declan Rice

£105m

Arsenal

2023

2

Mohammed Kudus

£55m

Tottenham

2025

3

Dimitri Payet

£25m

Marseille

2017

4

Carlos Tevez

£25m

Man City

2009

5

Gianluca Scamacca

£22.5m

Atalanta

2023

6

Marko Arnautovic

£22.4m

Shanghai SIPG

2019

7

Nayef Aguerd

£20m

Marseille

2025

8

Sebastien Haller

£20m

Ajax

2021

9

Javier Mascherano

£18.7m

Liverpool

2007

=10

Andre Ayew

£18m

Swansea

2018

=10

Rio Ferdinand

£18m

Leeds

2000

=12

Flynn Downes

£15m

Southampton

2024

=12

Issa Diop

£15m

Fulham

2022

14

Craig Bellamy

£14m

Man City

2009

15

Grady Diangana

£12m

West Brom

2020

=16

Said Benrahma

£11.9m

Lyon

2024

=16

Frank Lampard

£11m

West Ham

2001

=16

James Tomkins

£10m

Crystal Palace

2001

=16

Thilo Kehrer

£9.5m

Monaco

2024

20

Cheikhou Kouyate

£9.5m

Crystal Palace

2018

10 Andre Ayew £18m to Swansea, 2018

Swansea City made Andre Ayew their record signing in 2018, and he remains the biggest addition for the Jacks.

Ayew actually joined West Ham from Swansea in 2016, and the Ghanian made 50 appearances for the Hammers.

9 Javier Mascherano £18.7m to Liverpool, 2007

After signing for West Ham from Corinthians in 2006, Javier Mascherano only made seven Irons appearances before he was on the move again.

Rivals Liverpool liked what they saw and signed the Argentine in 2007 following lengthy FIFA and Premier League approval, with West Ham pocketing a reported £18.7m in total.

8 Sebastien Haller £20m to Ajax, 2021

A £45m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, Sebastien Haller scored 14 goals in 54 games and struggled at the London Stadium.

He was sold to Ajax for £20m 18 months later, where Haller would enjoy his best goalscoring form of his career.

7 Nayef Aguerd £20m to Marseille, 2025

Defender Nayef Aguerd came in with big expectations after a £30m move from Rennes, however, after two seasons where he was never a regular, the Moroccan was loaned out to Real Sociedad.

Then, in 2025, Aguerd was sold permanently for £20m to Marseille, so at least the Hammers recouped over half of what they paid.

6 Marko Arnautovic £22.4m to Shanghai SIPG, 2019

After impressing for Stoke City across four separate Premier League seasons, Marko Arnautovic was signed by West Ham for a then club-record £20m fee.

The Austrian contributed to 34 goals in 65 games in a Hammers shirt, with the club then making a small profit when selling Arnautovic to Chinese side Shanghai SIPG two years later.

5 Gianluca Scamacca £22.5m to Atalanta, 2023

Gianluca Scamacca can go down as one of many West Ham strikers who arrived for big money but failed to live up to the hype.

The Italian scored eight goals in 27 games for the Hammers after arriving for £35.5m from Sassuolo and returned to his native country 12 months later.

4 Carlos Tevez £25m to Man City, 2009

Carlos Tevez’s permanent exit from West Ham was complicated. After a two-year loan spell at Man Utd, it was Man City who came in and paid the Hammers £25m for the Argentine forward.

Tevez only played for West Ham in the 2006/07 season, contributing to 11 goals in 29 games helping the Irons avoid relegation.

3 Dimitri Payet £25m to Marseille, 2017

Dimitri Payet was a firm fan favourite for the majority of his West Ham career, starring with his creativity and set piece ability.

However, after handing in a transfer request in 2017, the mood towards Payet changed, but he got his wish with a £25m move back to Marseille.

2 Mohammed Kudus £55m to Tottenham, 2025

Mohammed Kudus cost West Ham £38m from Ajax in 2023, so when Tottenham offered them a £17m profit two years later, the Hammers were happy to cash in.

The Ghanian lit up the London Stadium and averaged a goal every four games in his short time with the Irons.

1 Declan Rice £105m to Arsenal, 2023

No surprise to see Declan Rice as West Ham’s biggest departure of all time, and his £105m move to Arsenal may never be beaten.

The midfielder came through the Hammers’ academy and starred at the London Stadium, even captaining the club in their Europa Conference League triumph in 2023.

In total, Rice made 245 appearances for West Ham, scoring 15 goals.

Karun Nair returns for his first Test since 2017

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jun-2025B Sai Sudharsan will bat at No. 3 on his Test debut for India against England at Headingley, while Karun Nair returns to international cricket after an eight-year absence. India have picked four seamers for the first Test, including the allrounder Shardul Thakur at No. 8, but it is their batters who will be put to the test on the first morning after Ben Stokes chose to bowl first.The last six Tests at Headingley have been won by the team bowling first, which might explain Stokes’ decision despite the bright sunshine in Leeds. “Headingley is generally a very good cricket wicket,” Stokes said at the toss. “Hopefully, we can look to use the early conditions, and try to get a bit out of it… We’re all excited, we’re all ready to go.”Shubman Gill, captaining India for the first time in Tests, said he would have chosen to bowl first, but predicted the pitch would become a “really good batting wicket” after the first session. “The sun is out. It looks like a good batting day for us,” Gill said. “The preparation has been amazing.”England named their team two days before the toss, with Ollie Pope retaining his spot at No. 3 and Brydon Carse set to open the bowling with Chris Woakes. Josh Tongue and Stokes are their other seamers, while Shoaib Bashir is their frontline spinner.Prasidh Krishna joins Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as India’s third frontline seamer, with Thakur providing an all-round option. Ravindra Jadeja is their only spinner, with Kuldeep Yadav left out.

Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been found guilty of sending "grossly offensive" social media posts. The 43-year-old called broadcaster Jeremy Vine a "bike nonce" and compared pundits Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko to serial killer couple Fred and Rose West on X. Now, jurors have accepted the prosecution's argument that Barton "crossed the line between free speech and a crime" on six counts.

Barton in court over social media posts

Barton has been on trial at Liverpool Crown Court after being charged with 12 counts of sending a grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety back in January 2024. On Friday, jurors found him guilty of six counts of sending grossly offensive social media posts directed at Vine, Ward, and Aluko, but they cleared the former Manchester City player of the other six counts. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBarton victim of 'political prosection'

The day before he was found guilty, Barton told the court he did not intend to call Vine a paedophile and described it as a "bad, dark, juvenile joke". He also said his references to the broadcaster were a "wind-up".

"It was not meant to call him a paedophile. It was a bad, dark, juvenile joke," he said. "I have not at any point tried to cause distress or anxiety or risk his life or his daughters' lives. I don't want people to fear for their lives, I'm a dad. I cannot believe I'm on trial for this. Words on a social media site."

Barton added, "This was the state, in my opinion, trying to squeeze me into the ground. It's a spat between celebrities online. I believe this is a highly politicised case.

"This is a state prosecution I believe for whatever their agendas are in pushing on people."

Vine and Aluko hurt by Barton's attacks

On Tuesday, former England international Aluko said she was "astounded" by Barton comparing her to the notorious serial killers, especially after the pair had exchanged "friendly and supportive" private messages years ago. 

"I was surprised because I had never met Joey Barton in person before. I was genuinely appreciative of his support. Between 2017 and 2020, me and Joey Barton exchanged supportive messages. I took Joey Barton as I found him. Obviously, he had a reputation in football. Given his reputation, I didn’t have to have that response to him," she told the court.

"If you see those messages, you would think those two people are friendly, supportive and encouraging. That’s why I was so astounded by a comparison to serial killers. I would have expected, if he did have a comment to make about my punditry, he would maybe message me and say so. I would have absolutely received it. But the fact that he did that publicly suggests it was malicious and was intended to get as much attention as possible, and all at a time when he was promoting a podcast. I believe he was trying to attract a certain audience that was aligned in his views."

Meanwhile, Vine said on Wednesday that Barton's comments made him feel "unsafe", while adding that the ex-Bristol Rovers boss had left a "cloud of filth" with his words.

"I thought it was very vicious to post their faces over two mass murderers of children. I was looking for an explanation and said about a brain injury as a way of underlining my own feelings that he had crossed a line," he told the court. "I genuinely believe what Barton did made me physically unsafe. I took some advice about my security. I varied my movements. I didn't want to communicate the dangers [to my daughters]. Because of this cloud of filth Barton had released I had to explain to them. I can only summarise by saying I believe these messages put me in physical danger."

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AFPWhat comes next?

Moreover, Judge Andrew Menary KC told Barton that his scarf with a British flag on it was a "stunt" and not to wear it again at his sentencing on December 8. He was also reminded that his bail conditions prevent him from mentioning the three victims in any way before he is sentenced.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now targeting Brendan Rodgers as a replacement for Vitor Pereira, amid boardroom doubts about the Portuguese manager, who has made a very poor start to the campaign.

Indeed, Pereira is arguably fortunate to still be in a job, given that West Ham United and Nottingham Forest have already made changes, with the Old Gold sitting bottom of the Premier League, having failed to win any of their opening nine games.

Wolves have amassed just two points, which means they are currently six points adrift of safety, and the most recent result is likely to be particularly concerning, suffering a 3-2 defeat at home against newly-promoted Burnley.

Pereiera had to be dragged away from an altercation with the fans after the full-time whistle, before going on to urge the supporters to stick with the team in his post-match interview, saying: “We understand the frustration of the people and supporters but what I must say, if we fight united with them, we can win games and compete and achieve our targets – without them, it is impossible,”

“If we win two or three games in a row, things will change.”

The 57-year-old appears to be safe for the meantime, with the board not taking any drastic action after the Burnley defeat, but the club’s hierarchy are starting to have doubts about their manager…

Wolves targeting Rodgers to replace Pereira

According to a report from The Boot Room, Rodgers has now emerged as a target for Wolves, with the 52-year-old now available after resigning from his position as Celtic manager earlier this week.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey adds: “Wolves, as it stands, are sticking with Vitor Pereira, but I understand the club’s hierarchy is split. Some wanted Pereira out after their weekend defeat to Burnley, so they are one to watch.”

As such, the former FC Porto manager may get a few more games to save his job, but if results don’t improve, the Northern Irishman could be brought in to replace him, having decided moving back to England is his “number one priority”.

After such a poor start to the season, the Old Gold may need a special manager to guide them to safety, and the ex-Celtic boss, who has managed 34 Champions League games, could fit the bill.

Gabriel Agbonlahor once lauded the former Leicester City boss for the work he did at the King Power Stadium, describing him as a “world-class” manager.

During his time with the Foxes, Rodgers, who often utilises a 4-3-3 formation, secured two fifth-place finishes and won the FA Cup, showcasing that he is capable of punching above his weight with a smaller club.

Despite signing a new three-year contract last month, there is only so long Wolves can stick with Pereira if results don’t improve dramatically, and the former Leicester manager could be the ideal replacement.

Could Jorgen Strand Larsen save Vitor Pereira's job? Wolves' "phenomenal" star looks like another Cunha-type player for Pereira

The talented international could be another Cunha-type star for Wolves this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 18, 2025

Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer brought quality, intensity and fire to proceedings

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jul-2025

Nitish Kumar Reddy is distraught after falling on the last ball before lunch•Getty Images

England came to Lord’s looking for six wickets. They bagged four of them before lunch in an inspired morning’s play where their captain Ben Stokes and their returning talismanic fast bowler Jofra Archer brought quality, intensity and fire to proceedings.India were in the mire early when Rishabh Pant, hampered by the injured finger on his left hand, fell on the third over of the day. Three overs later, Stokes got one to nip down the slope at the Nursery end to trap KL Rahul lbw. Stokes bowled a nine-over spell this morning, constantly threatening everyone who made the mistake of standing 22 yards away. This time, the England coaching staff weren’t interfering with his plans. They just let him do his thing.Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy got together with the score at 82 for 7. India’s hopes looked quite dire at the time, but a packed crowd, with a loud Indian contingent cheered them on with every block, every leave, every run scored. Eventually the ball started to lose its hardness and batting became slightly easier. There were 12 false shots leading to the three wickets in the first hour. But only eight in the second.Just as it looked like India would go to the break with their last two recognised batters intact, Chris Woakes gave them a different challenge. Swing instead of seam. And eventually he was able to prise Reddy out for 13 off 53. There remained a fair bit of needle through the morning session with Archer giving Pant a send-off, Stokes and Reddy having a fairly amiable chat at the end of overs and Brydon Carse and Jadeja actually colliding with each other.England were on point with their fielding as well, spurred on by Stokes who was loath to let the intensity drop. Archer took a fine one-handed catch, diving to his right to get rid of Washington Sundar.