Peterborough United manager Robbie Savage was unequivocal after his team’s 4-1 loss at Huddersfield Town that it was the Terriers’ third goal that ‘finished the game’ at Accu Stadium.

Savage was justified in that view. Posh had just pulled a goal back after going 2-0 down in a scruffy League One match that struggled for quality but was punctuated by exactly that. It was, said Savage, a game of moments.

Peterborough went on to halve the deficit but it was Huddersfield’s second goal that switched the valve on the tension in the stadium. Both were scored by Joe Taylor, a striker who’s young yet proven in the third tier and destined to join Savage among the ranks of Wales’ full internationals.

Joe Taylor is Huddersfield’s prodigal signing

The 23-year-old, formerly of Peterborough, joined Huddersfield in January 2025 after a prolific loan spell in League One with Lincoln City. Taylor scored on his debut but injury soon curtailed his progress and the Terriers’ soon started to cycle through managers.

Players left and players arrived; Huddersfield’s squad is unrecognisable from the one Michael Duff inherited in 2024. Taylor is one of a few players who’ve done both and has experienced the upheaval as directly as anyone in the current squad.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

At the same time as Lee Grant was dismissed as Duff’s permanent successor in January, Taylor left Huddersfield on loan and spent the second half of 2025/26 scoring goals in their division for Wigan Athletic.

When Huddersfield and Wigan meet on Saturday, Taylor will line up for the Terriers. After a tumultuous spell of goalless runs, misuse and exile, the striker is finally enjoying the platform he needs to be the signing Huddersfield wanted him to be.

On a miserable night in West Yorkshire that was illuminated by four moments of genuinely excellent finishing, Taylor’s two goals won the game. That’s what Taylor does, and it’s what Huddersfield missed out on until Martin Drury reintegrated him and helped to unleash his goal threat at the club that invested in it some time ago.

Their win moved them into the top two and Taylor’s brace put him on eight league goals in 10 matches. Only Kyle Wootton of leaders Stockport County has more, and both Taylor and teammate Derensili Sanches Fernandes match Wootton for overall goal contributions.

Taylor’s shooting numbers and performance against expected goals suggest that he’s capable of outstripping Wootton over the course of the season, but there’s data on paper and there’s data in observation.

The real value of Taylor’s two goals against Peterborough, beyond the three points, is that neither he nor Huddersfield were at anything like their best and he produced a couple of goals anyway.

Spinning wins from scraps is exactly what Huddersfield need

He’s had better all-round matches and been unable to take advantage but these goals were everything Drury could want from his leading hitman. They were pure Joe Taylor.

The first was all his own doing. He pinched a loose ball in midfield and raced clear to slot the ball past Posh goalkeeper Alex Bass. The second was made by his movement and finishing to convert a terrific cross from substitute Marcus Harness.

These were the moments Savage acknowledged and the moments that made the difference. The ability to spin an evidently tired performance in the brutal Saturday-Tuesday rhythm of the EFL into two match-winning goals is not common. There’s a reason Drury hugged Taylor like a returning son when he was substituted to a standing ovation.

Drury said after the match that Huddersfield have given too much attention to outside expectations since they were relegated from the Championship, and that they’ve done so at the expense of holding themselves accountable internally.

It was a damning assessment of what came before him but the need to return to second-tier football is as acute now as it was under Duff two years ago.

Having a striker who can turn draws into wins, who can turn an ugly 1-0 lead into 3-1 in just a few minutes without playing all that well for an hour beforehand, is the kind of strength that might just take them there.

Alex Scott had an unconventional route to where he is now.

The England and Bournemouth midfielder spent his formative years flying from Guernsey to the English mainland to train in the youth system Bournemouth and then Southampton.

Scott could have gone to find another club after being let go by Southampton's academy - but instead took a conscious decision to play senior football on the Channel Islands instead.

Scott told FourFourTwo: "I thought I could still be a footballer, that I might get another chance, but knew it would be tough.

"At that point though, I wasn’t enjoying it and if I’d stayed, I don’t think I would have progressed the way I did after going back home. It was the right decision.

"I was training with the team quite a bit when I was 15, doing bits after our under-16s sessions.

"I’d go over to the first team and fill spaces basically, but you couldn’t play until you were 16, so I had to wait.

"In the first game after my birthday, I got thrown on, wearing number 14 – that was also my first number in the Premier League for Bournemouth, so it came full circle.

"It was a lot different quality-wise for sure. Physically when I was that young, it was important for me to play men’s football and I learned a lot. In the youth teams, I’d almost just take the ball and dribble, but when you go into senior football, you’re going to get hurt doing that.

"I learned that the hard way, training with the Guernsey lads and playing in games, but that experience definitely benefited me, especially when I later went to Bristol City and broke through.

"I can remember one game – I can’t recall who it was against, but it was at home. I was playing at eight or 10, and every time I got the ball, this number six for the opposition was just nailing me every time! I was thinking, ‘Yeah, this is proper…’

"But I enjoyed it – I embraced it, gave him a bit back and started trying to do skills.

"That’s probably where it started for me, my way of playing, the freedom to play and enjoy football. Those moments brought that on."

Scott was speaking at PUMA’s new store on Oxford Street in London, the brand’s first European flagship store.

Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, whose reign at Old Trafford ended in October 2024, has opened up about the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo’s behaviour on “toxic culture” at the club.

The Dutchman described issuing sanctions in matters related to player discipline, to the likes of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, then confessed that a similar situation emerged with the Portuguese #7.

In an interview with The Athletic, the ex-Manchester United manager claimed: “[Ronaldo] let me down… I respected him a lot,” before revealing the Red Devils icon’s behavioural issues.

Erik ten Hag claims he “respected” Cristiano Ronaldo but was “let down… he let the team down” at Manchester United

On “toxic culture” at Manchester United, the Dutchman claimed that power is given to the players who enact such behaviour, ‘fuelling the cycle.’

“They are continuing the toxic culture, they fuel it. They give power to the players… sometimes, you have to make corrections,” claimed Ten Hag.

The Dutchman then explained how he felt he had to play ‘bad cop’ with players to raise standards, while grappling with the reality of having to pick certain personnel to win Premier League matches.

Ten Hag claimed that Ronaldo’s poor work ethic led to sub-par fitness levels, leaving the No.7 unable to press or play as hard as the Dutchman required him to.

“He let the team down, and he let me down, because we planned with him,” claimed Ten Hag. “I flew out to Portugal to speak with him about what I was aiming for before I came to United.”

According to the Dutchman, the now 41-year-old pulled out of training sessions, didn’t get his heart rate raised to sufficient levels during training, and completed just two of the three scheduled laps that Ten Hag infamously made players do after a torrid 4-0 defeat to Brentford in August 2022.

“Obviously, he’s one of the best in football history. I respected him a lot. But at that time, as a manager, I had to make a rational decision and keep the players I admire in.

“I confronted him with this. Many times I say, ‘Ronnie, everyone wants to work for you to bring you in the right position, but if you can’t bring yourself in the box, you can’t score.’

“He was not capable of this. It’s the wrong idea to put this to me that I expected him to do the pressing, that he’s exhausted. But he couldn’t. He ran neither in possession nor out of possession. The reason was because he didn’t prepare himself,” revealed Ten Hag.

“Every top team has to embrace the top player, but the top player has to work for the team. He was telling the players, ‘Save your legs at the training.’”

“I understand it when you are top fit - you have sessions, you can save the legs. But first you have to train yourself to get into the right fitness levels.”

Ten Hag hasn’t returned to management since his brief stint post-Manchester United with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. Cristiano Ronaldo, whose return date, fine and suspension period for Portugal has now been revealed, is enjoying time in the Saudi Pro League, as he chases 1000 career goals.

Bayern Munich host Arsenal this week in the Champions League, but Die Roten have been dealt a major blow.

Both teams are among the favourites for the trophy this season, as Arsenal were beaten in last season's final, and Bayern Munich reached the final four last time out – with both suffering defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

But while plenty will suggest that this week's battle between the two sides is essentially meaningless given that they will both likely qualify for the knockout stage, there's a huge incentive to get a result at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich struggling with a virus outbreak ahead of Arsenal clash

As Arsenal proved last season by finishing top of the league phase with eight straight wins in the first stage of the competition, racking up 24 points from 24 can help pave the way for a preferable route to the final.

Mikel Arteta's men faced Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting and Atletico Madrid on their side of the draw, with each of their home ties coming second in the knockout stage – so Bayern will want to replicate that and look to avoid the likes of PSG, Barcelona and Arsenal themselves until the latter stages of the competition.

The Bavarians have a problem, however, with Sport Witness relaying reports of a virus that Vincent Kompany is suffering from.

“According to BILD, the Belgian underwent another thorough examination on Monday by the team doctors,” the report states, adding, “Internally, the illness is not being taken lightly, as Kompany was clearly feeling unwell around the time of the resounding victory against Leipzig.

“Although he delivered the team talks in the locker room, he had to lie down briefly on his sofa in his coach’s room at the Allianz Arena both at halftime and after the win.”

Sport Witness notes that his “close proximity to the players and other coaches is a cause for concern,” as the Bundesliga champions look to avoid a crisis ahead of Wednesday's clash – in which they are already missing Michael Olise.

The French international was dismissed against Viking for two yellow cards in quick succession: the first for tugging at Zlatko Tripic to stop a transition on the right flank, before immediately throwing the ball into the Norway international's face to receive his marching orders from referee Georgi Kabakov.

The moment of madness came back to haunt Olise's side, as Bayern were leading 3-2 in Stavanger – after going 2-0 down in the first half – before Kompany's 10 men were pegged back to 3-3 for a shock draw by the minnows.

Arsenal have been given a boost of their own, with defender Piero Hincapie having returned to training on grass following an injury picked up before the international break.

The champions of England against the champions of Germany is one of 18 clashes as Champions League action resumes this week.

Rio Ngumoha has downplayed the strength of transfer links to Arsenal, amid a series of dominant individual performances being delivered by the 18-year-old at Liverpool.

Arsenal, Bayern Munich and even RB Leipzig have all emerged as contenders to try and lure the English wonderkid away from Anfield; however, Ngumoha has now insisted that such transfer talk is “all with my agent now.”

The 18-year-old appeared off the bench in Liverpool’s comeback 2-1 win versus Brentford at the Gtech on Saturday, then discussed his future on Merseyside post-match.

Rio Ngumoha tells Liverpool fans transfer talk is “in the back of my mind” amid Arsenal and Bayern Munich links

Ngumoha has appeared in five of Liverpool’s first seven Premier League outings this term, looking to turn a corner with new boss Andoni Iraola after a torrid final season under Arne Slot.

The 18-year-old has also appeared in two Champions League matches versus Atletico Madrid and LASK, and started in Liverpool’s 3-1 Carabao Cup win against Spurs.

Ngumoha is yet to open his account for the season, after two three goals and notching an assist under Slot in 2025-26, playing 19 Premier League games for a total 582 minutes.

Links to Arsenal arrived through David Ornstein, who claimed in an article for The Athletic last month that the 18-year-old is “well-liked” at the Emirates.

After his 38-minute cameo versus Brentford, during which both of Liverpool’s comeback strikes arrived, the England international said: ‘To be fair, that is all with my agent now. I think it is all going well. I am not too sure. I just let my football do the talking at the end of the day.

Ngumoha further downplayed the possibility of an Arsenal transfer, claiming: “‘I enjoy playing, and all of that stuff is in the back of my mind really. I just play for the club, and hopefully I can carry on doing well.

‘I am enjoying the challenge and to be able to play off both sides is important,” continued the 18-year-old, who has appeared on both the right and left flanks at Liverpool after the club lost Mohamed Salah last summer to Super Lig contenders Trabzonspor.

“Do I have a favourite position? No, not anymore. I am getting to grips with the right wing now, and I am liking it. It gives me a bit more unpredictability. I have been working hard on the training pitch.

‘I went away with England and I was playing on the right, so I learned a lot there as well. Watching the likes of Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka. I took on board some of the stuff they told me, and it’s really helpful.

Ngumoha then sung the praises of new manager Iraola, revealing that his received directive has been to take on players more frequently in one-v-one duels.

“I am enjoying working with him and enjoying improving,” said the England international. Whether I start or come off the bench, I have the same mentality. I know the club is just trying to look after me. We have some of the best attackers in the world, so competing for places is not easy.

"It is all about healthy competition and we all just want to make the team win at the end of the day. So whatever minutes we get, we can’t be sulking, we just have to go out and show what we can do."

Ngumoha’s current Liverpool contract runs through until 2028; for now, talk of transfers elsewhere appear to be out of sight and out of mind for the 18-year-old.

Plenty of Arsenal players haven't gone on to better things after leaving the club.

Nicolas Anelka became the Gunners' record sale when he departed for big things in the 1990s, but despite his journeyman career, perhaps never reached the heights that some thought he would during his Arsenal days – while Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Marc Overmars can all safely claim to have given their best form in North London after big moves to Europe.

Now, one Gunner from that era has admitted as much.

Former Arsenal star admits, “I would pay good money to go back to those days”

While the likes of Ashley Cole, Serge Gnabry and Robin van Persie have all enjoyed silverware post-N5, Emmanuel Petit has now reminisced with FourFourTwo about his time as an Arsenal player.

The Frenchman is still the only Gunner to have scored in a World Cup final, and after signing for mentor Arsene Wenger in 1997, enjoyed phenomenal success at Highbury, winning a league and FA Cup Double in his first full season.

“I have some very good memories. When I first came to England, I really loved the tradition over there,” Petit tells us now, courtesy of Betfred.

“I loved it. Back in the day I loved everything. The football, the speed, the total football at times. You never give up and that’s something I learned in England. Never give up until the end.”

The midfielder ended up leaving in 2000 for Barcelona – moving back to the Premier League just a year later to return to London with Arsenal's rivals, Chelsea.

Reflecting on that time now, Petit says that the connection he had with the English supporters was stronger than that at Camp Nou – and that he regrets even moving to Barça in the first place.

“I loved the link with the fans in England and I would pay good money to go back to those days because I miss that sometimes,” he says, adding, “I do believe that my biggest mistake was leaving Arsenal to move to Barcelona.”

Petit failed to win anything in Catalonia, appearing 31 times under manager Lorenzo Serra Ferrer's failed tenure as manager after Louis van Gaal left in 2000.

The World Cup winner retired in 2004 after three years at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal take on Bayern Munich as Champions League action returns this week.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended by the Portuguese FA and fined less than £250 after the Portuguese maestro walked out on the national team following a row with Jorge Jesus.

That occurred during the last round of international games, during which Ronaldo exited the Portugal camp in Copenhagen prior to their Nations League clash versus Denmark.

Jesus, new boss in Portugal and former manager to Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League, was accused of breaking his word twice to Ronaldo; now, the #7 will serve a 30-day suspension.

Cristiano Ronaldo issued under £250 fine and 30-day suspension period with Portugal

When receiving his punishment from the disciplinary council, it was not specified whether time already served under a provisional suspension would be removed from Ronaldo’s 30-day period.

As a result, it is unclear as to whether the 41-year-old’s punishment will extend to Portugal’s upcoming Nations League clashes in November; however, further information has since emerged.

According to Sky Sports News, the suspension began on the day of Ronaldo’s walk-out, September 30, making him eligible to face Denmark on November 14.

The news arrives after the #7 took to Instagram and asked the Portuguese FA to spare him any leniency, while revealing the details of his row with Jesus.

The 41-year-old also published a bullet-pointed list of ‘validated’ claims he signed off on Jesus saying in a post-match Nations League presser, which Jesus never read.

“I made the mistake in having someone of the stature of Pele or [Diego] Maradona warm up today and then not putting him in the game. If it were today, I would not do it,” read one point.

The Al-Nassr forward then clarified that Jesus broke two promises made with him, before offering an apology to his Portugal team-mates.

“The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation… Regardless of each person’s status, the rules are the same.

“The Federation wants to give me [a dignified farewell]... I can promise all my fans, naturally and especially the Portuguese people, that we will have one or more farewell matches,” concluded the 41-year-old.

It appears that Ronaldo is set to return versus both Denmark and Wales next month; whether that will be the 41-year-old’s farewell with Portugal is still unclear.

Thomas Hitzlsperger has urged journalists to take a respectful approach if they want to help gay footballers feel comfortable coming out.

The former Aston Villa and Germany midfielder came out himself in 2014, just a few months after announcing his retirement from playing professional football.

But there have been very few openly gay male footballers since then - and Hitzlsperger hopes that the media can learn to be genuinely supportive rather than prioritising their own interests.

Hitzlsperger told FourFourTwo: "The example of a group of 125 employees of the German Catholic Church coming out in 2022 was a powerful statement and, within the world of football, there are many possibilities.

"I’d assume in some way that would be easier, but because every story is different, some players may want to tell their own personal story, and not be one of 10, 20 or however many footballers to come out.

"I just hope that footballers who are gay find a way to live happy lives.

"Nowadays, there’s a strong desire from a number of journalists to break stories and it’s become almost obsessive.

"It’s very annoying, because it would be best to leave closeted players alone and let them find a way. It feels more about breaking the story of the next gay footballer and less about helping to really make a change.

"That’s something I don’t like – we have to be as supportive as we can, but don’t give the impression that we want to force people to come out because it’s for the greater good.

"While I embraced my identity as a gay man after my playing career, I had to discover what I wanted to do after retiring in 2013 at the age of 31.

"That transition applies to every single player and is about finding a new passion. For all of your life, you’ve been focused on your football career.

"Suddenly that’s over and you have to really think about what you want to do, – what you want to be in life, other than a former footballer.

"It’s about finding your own structure, because for so long you’re being told when to show up for training, what to wear and what to do.

"It’s also about dealing with being on your own, no longer in the spotlight. You have to be able to live another successful career."

Football v Homophobia is a year-round initiative tackling anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, building inclusive communities at all levels of the game around the world. For more info and support, visit footballvhomophobia.com

Manchester United are in danger of missing out on an Antonio Conte-shaped managerial switch-up, with Juventus now interested in the Italian.

The Red Devils are enduring a tough 2026-27 Premier League campaign, positioned 13th in the English top-flight standings. In Europe, things aren’t much better.

Pressure is now being piled upon Michael Carrick, who led Manchester United to a third-placed finish last season; and if they persist with the Englishman, they could lose out on Conte.

Time is running out for Manchester United in potential Antonio Conte managerial switch-up

Manchester United made unfortunate headlines after suffering a thorough beat-down at the hands of Atletico Madrid last week, after which Lisandro Martinez, whose future at Old Trafford is more uncertain than ever, made incendiary comments about the Red Devils hierarchy.

After a 1-1 draw versus an in-form Leeds United at the weekend, Carrick’s job remains under significant threat, with The Athletic writing that his place in Manchester is “beginning to feel precarious.”

According to reports, Conte, former manager of both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, is linked heavily to take on Carrick’s position at Old Trafford, but time is running out for the Red Devils to see through this potential managerial switch-up.

Italian publication Tuttomercatoweb revealed that Juventus have been ‘alerted’ to his availability, amid a turbulent period for Conte at Napoli.

His side were defeated 1-0 by newly-promoted side Venezia over the weekend, and are positioned ninth in the Serie A standings with 10 points from seven matches.

Elsewhere, at Juventus, Luciano Spalletti’s job is under imminent threat having suffered a 3-0 loss to Lazio at home on Sunday. The club are seventh in the Serie A table, with 11 points.

The publication noted that Conte’s move to Manchester ‘never materialised,’ with the Red Devils’ hesitancy now set to bite them amid interest in the Italian from Juventus.

“The coach is complicating his life with constant experimentation, offering no certainty. He’s playing a complicated game with obscure language, when simplicity is needed,” concluded Tuttomercatoweb.

Manchester United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in September, falling in a 3-2 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford, despite leading 2-0 after nine minutes.

The Red Devils return to Champions League action away at Como on Tuesday, then host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, with Carrick’s job under increasing threat, and likely no Conte to step in and steady the Manchester United ship.

Arsenal star Mikel Merino has opened up about the moment that he believed the Gunners would win their first Premier League title in 22 years.

The Spaniard picked up a serious injury in January that looked to rule him out of the season, but miraculously fought to play in Arsenal's final league game of the season and earn a place in Luis de la Fuente's World Cup squad.

Speaking now to The Player's Tribune, Merino has reflected on his 2026 and cited a reaction after the disappointing draw away to Wolverhampton Wanderers as the moment he truly realised that his side would become champions in May.

“In my view, that was the day we won the title” Arsenal's Mikel Merino on Wolves reaction

After going two goals up against Wolves in February, Arsenal conceded a late equaliser, courtesy of a mix-up between David Raya and Gabriel – with Merino claiming that the players sought to repair the damage among themselves to take the strain off manager Mikel Arteta.

“One slip, and all we heard was ‘same old Arsenal,’” Merino said. “To be honest, there were doubts inside the team too. Giving away a 2–0 lead should never happen.

“But the day after the game, the players had a meeting inside the dressing room, without the boss. Everyone spoke up. Nobody talked about tactics. This was about how a group of human beings handle adversity together.

“I spoke about how I saw the team from the outside, and I said that this was something we as players had to handle, because the boss couldn’t do everything for us. When one person has so many tasks at one club, you need leaders who can figure things out on their own.

“Well, at this club, we do. In my view, that was the day we won the title. Even when we lost to Bournemouth and City, that meeting kept us together.”

With social media permeating the inner sanctum of the Gunners' London Colney base, Merino also revealed that his team-mates used the criticism towards them as fuel to end the club's long title drought – including one Manchester City fan who was pictured with an Arsenal bottle.

“We were bottlers. Runners-up. Second, second, second. Boring. Set-piece team. Couldn’t score from open play. Couldn’t handle the pressure. When they questioned our professionalism, we grew even closer,” Merino continued.

“The guy with the bottle on TV? We just laughed. ‘Bantah,’ like the English say.

“The boss was on fire. Every team talk, he reached into our hearts. He spoke about looking out for one another, like a family. The culture we have is thanks to him. Even when the world expected us to collapse, I felt confident that the title would be ours.”

Arsenal travel to Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, as Champions League action continues at the Allianz Arena.

Sarina Wiegman has signed an extension to remain England women's manager for another two years.

The Dutch head coach was set to leave the Lionesses after next year's World Cup – but after this new deal, she will lead them to a third European Championship in Germany in 2029.

In leading England to the Euros in 2029, Wiegman will be looking to win the tournament for the fourth time in a row, having done it twice with England and once with her native Netherlands.

Sarina Wiegman looking to make history with next two England women's tournaments

“I am so happy to be able to carry on with this squad and cannot think of a better job in football,” Wiegman said after the announcement of the deal.

“Working for a world-class organisation like The FA, and alongside so many people dedicated to winning England teams and the growth of our game, excites me every day.”

England have next year's World Cup in Brazil to look forward to before they turn attentions to another Euros, as runners-up in Australia to Spain three years ago.

The Lionesses recently qualified for the second round of the play-offs to get to the competition next summer, beating Greece 8-1 on aggregate last week to set up a tie with Ukraine.

“My main concern right now is absolutely the World Cup, and helping this squad realise their potential in the years to come,” Wiegman said, adding, “We have an important job to do to confirm our place in Brazil, and hopefully we can do that and give the country another special summer to remember next year.”

Wiegman has overseen a golden era in English women's football since taking over the reins from Phil Neville in September 2021.

The national team triumphed at Wembley Stadium to beat Germany in the final of Euro 2022 to lift the Lionesses' first-ever trophy, before beating the Spanish last summer, as Wiegman became the manager in history – men's or women's – to reach five consecutive major international finals.

Should England reach the World Cup next summer, they will go into the tournament as one of the favourites alongside the likes of Spain and the United States, but with the Lionesses still in transition, it could be the final tournament for a number of familiar faces who have enjoyed recent success under Wiegman.

The draw for the World Cup takes place on December 11 at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ahead of the Dutchwoman is looking to become the first coach to win four successive European Championships in 2029, after equalling Christina Theune's record of three with Germany last summer.

Wiegman has a 70 per cent win record as England manager, with 58 victories from 82 fixtures and just 11 losses in her five years in charge.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Season 5, Episode 7. The Gang Wrestles for the Troops. Frank “The Trashman” Reynolds wins by accidentally taking out his opponent, Rickety Cricket, with a sharp-edged trash can. He stands in the middle of the ring, sheepishly raises his arms to the air in celebration as the crowd goes wild.

It was an unintentional success. Danny DeVito’s character looked almost embarrassed by the victory. It was impossible not to draw similarities with Dominic Solanke, who headed in a stoppage-time equaliser at Old Trafford last weekend.

Roberto De Zerbi took his Tottenham Hotspur squad to Manchester United, and they dominated from the outset. Solanke himself should have put the north London side ahead with just two minutes on the clock. He fluffed his lines one-on-one with Senne Lammens. He missed a second guilt-edged chance shortly after the restart. Two ideal opportunities to put Spurs in front in a Premier League match for the first time this season.

Maybe it was a lack of confidence on Solanke’s part. Maybe the pressure from Lisandro Martinez was enough to put the 29-year-old off when Savio played the ball across goal. Not that it mattered when Solanke headed Sandro Tonali’s late cross into the bottom corner to silence the United crowd.

Either way, it was a performance that, again, wasn’t good enough from Solanke. It’s become a running theme this season. That De Zerbi named him captain was also incredibly disrespectful to the supporters who paid their hard-earned money to make the trip to Manchester for a Saturday evening kick-off.

You might say it’s one of the worst decisions that De Zerbi has made during his six months in the capital.

This, after all, is the same Solanke who missed a home North London Derby earlier this year due to a sore throat. One who has scored four league goals across 19 league appearances in 2026. A forward who has been trusted to lead the line while last season’s top scorer has been omitted from Spurs’ Premier League squad.

The issue really is that Solanke hasn’t shown enough to warrant the chance to lead out the team. De Zerbi did reveal that he entrusted the former Bournemouth man with the responsibility that comes with captaining a Premier League side. The duty of skippering one of England’s biggest clubs at one of the country’s most recognisable stadiums.

“After the last game, the criticism, I wanted to put him captain to show my confidence and the confidence of the team,” De Zerbi revealed in the week. Had none of the squad’s leadership group been available, then fair enough.

Archie Gray started at right-back. Micky van de Ven was in the matchday squad. The decision was one that left fans scratching their heads. For a team that needs a striker firing on all cylinders, there isn’t much faith in Solanke to carry out the duty. After all, he’s a forward who has scored in back-to-back games just once since his 2024 arrival from Bournemouth.

And a player of his stature who should offer plenty, doesn’t really offer much of anything on the frontline. Solanke has managed just nine shots in the Premier League this season. Just three have been on target. He’s made as many unsuccessful touches resulting in a turnover of possession. Fire the ball into him and, chances are, it’ll bounce away like a trampoline.

In addition, the former Cherries man has won only two of 12 contested aerial duels. Spurs’ No.19 has created just two chances and completed zero dribbles.

This isn’t what Spurs need right now. They require consistency in the final third. A striker to tuck away the goalscoring opportunities they are creating. A player to hold up the ball if required to bring teammates into play. Not one who is desperately out of form and has shown few signs he is capable of turning his fortunes around.

Maybe the goal against United will – finally – kick Solanke into gear. The late header could be a catalyst for better things to come. Lord knows Spurs could do with a fit and firing frontman to haul them away from danger.

Either way, the decision to name Solanke captain at United was a gamble by De Zerbi. He hasn’t shown the requisite consistency, both in terms of availability and performances, to warrant the armband. If he fails to build upon the late equaliser at United, then it will have been a failed experiment by the Spurs boss.

The pressure is now on for Solanke to justify his manager’s decision. More expect him to crumble under the responsibility rather than shoulder the burden.

With five league titles, two Champions Leagues and a host of domestic cup winners' medals in her collection, Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh has won just about everything there is to win in women's football.

This success also extends to the international scene, where the 29-year-old was part of England's two European Championship successes in 2022 and 2025.

However, there is one notable trophy missing from her CV - the World Cup.

Walsh on her World Cup dream

Walsh played both legs of England's 8-1 aggregate win over Greece, which secured their place in the two-legged World Cup play-off against Ukraine in November, the winner of which will seal their place in Brazil for next summer's tournament.

This play-off run has come after Spain pipped the Lionesses to top spot in their qualifying group on goal difference, underlining just had challenging even making the finals is.

"The same way we'd approach any game," Walsh told FourFourTwo about the team's play-off test.

"It’s difficult to qualify now in the initial stages because there’s two or three top teams in each group, so it's really, really difficult."

This is a point emphasised by the fact that England were paired with world champions Spain, who defeated them 1-0 in the World Cup final back in 2023, as Walsh came agonisingly close to completing her set of major honours.

But rather than dwell on the past, the former Barcelona midfielder is fixated on her side's next match.

"For us in the next stage, it's the same as any game," she continues.

"We want to win, we want to go to the World Cup and we know what we need to do to get there. We know what we need to improve as a group and as individuals. So I'm excited to meet back up and hit the ground running."

And what about adding that elusive final trophy to her collection?

"Yeah, literally! And that definitely gives me motivation. I'm getting on a little bit as well so I'm aware that it could be my last World Cup. So it's a big year."

Throughout the second half of the 2010s, Britt Assombalonga made his name as one of the Championship's most prolific strikers.

After making his senior debut at Watford, he would work his way through the divisions, scoring goals on loan at Wealdstone, Braintree Town and Southend United before making a permanent move to Peterborough, where a 33-goal season earned him a move to Nottingham Forest.

When he made this 2014 switch, the Congolese forward was returning to the club that had rejected him as a teenager.

Assombalonga on his Forest return

Assombalonga had a trial at the City Ground when he was just 14, but was not able to earn himself a permanent deal. The experience, however, left a lasting impression on the youngster, meaning his change to finally pull on the famous Garibaldi red shirt meant even more to him.

From the colour and noise of the City Ground to the bitter rivalry with Derby County, Assombalonga's spell back at Forest was a career-defining stint for him.

"I’d actually been on trial at Forest when I was 14 and, while it didn’t work out, the club left a massive impression on me," he admits to FourFourTwo.

While this trial did not work out for him, the 10-time DR Congo international refused to bear a grudge.

"I’d always dreamt of going back and proving them wrong," he continues. "Not that I ever held it against them – these things happen – but I felt I had unfinished business there."

When Assombalonga joined Forest for a £5million fee from Peterborough in 2014, he immediately fell for the team, the fans and their famous stadium.

"The City Ground is amazing, honestly," he adds. "When the crowd is behind the team and the place is rocking, there are few atmospheres like it."

Never is this atmosphere so raw as when Forest play their most bitter rivals.

"Especially when we played Derby – I can always remember how fierce the atmosphere was in those games due to the history between the clubs and the fact they’re so close.

"I really felt like I was playing for a massive club that had historical importance to English football. I loved my time at Forest and I’m really proud to have scored the goals I did there."

Over the past five decades, Barry Hearn has made a habit out of turning sporting outsiders into major attractions.

But for all his success in darts, snooker and boxing, the former Leyton Orient chairman has never been one to settle for past glories.

The former Matchroom supremo is now back in football, having bought a stake in non-league Brentwood Town, relishing the challenge of building something special.

Why Barry Hearn is back in football

“I’m not the type to sit on his arse all day, you know?" Hearn tells FourFourTwo as he opens up on his latest venture.

"We staged 700 sporting events in the past year alone,” he adds proudly. “I followed them all religiously.

"After every single darts and snooker event, I update my world rankings by hand. I’m a sad, sad bastard. My wife likes to remind me of that.”

Hearn can also be found at Matchroom’s other sporting ventures, from ten-pin bowling to carp fishing.

“If the world was ending in an hour, Geoffrey Boycott would have a turn in the nets, Steve Davis would play one last frame, and Barry Hearn would have a quick glance at his latest spreadsheet,” he adds. “That’s what people like us do.”

Was there a family vote when it came to buying a stake in Brentwood? “No, I just said ‘Bollocks to the lot of you’,” Hearn laughs. “They all think I’m mad, but it’s not a lot of money. It’s a commitment in time that’s much more important than how much money you put in.”

Hearn will be using his time in the short term to drum up interest in the club, but insists that Brentwood will not be getting their own version of Club For A Fiver.

“There’ll be no Netflix series here,” he says. “Wrexham have done that and good luck to them. We need to make our own noise. I shall use what influence I have. I will fight the good cause to my last breath, and I will, in some way, win. I can promise you that.”

It’s hard to imagine otherwise, given the extraordinary energy that Hearn throws at every project he takes on. “I could be drinking champagne on a beach all day, with staff topping my glass up every five minutes,” he winks.

“But where’s the buzz in that? I’ll make a success of Brentwood Town or I’ll die trying.”

This time next week, two sons of Merseyside could be about to go head-to-head in the biggest club fixture in world football.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Anthony Gordon were born barely a couple of miles apart, in West Derby and Norris Green respectively, and both joined Liverpool’s academy when they were in primary school.

Of course, Gordon was released by the Reds and ended up coming through at Everton, with the pair facing each other in a Merseyside Derby for the first time in June 2020. They are now on opposite sides of another rivalry, but as Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid prepare to face Gordon’s Barcelona in El Clasico, their careers are on different trajectories.

Why this is a huge season for Anthony Gordon and Trent Alexander-Arnold - but for different reasons

Next Sunday’s meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid happens to fall on the 10-year anniversary of Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool debut, which came against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup fourth round in October 2016.

He scored his first Reds goal on his Champions League bow 10 months later, curling home a classy free-kick against Hoffenheim that served notice of his outstanding dead-ball ability.

Alexander-Arnold was picked for England’s 2018 World Cup squad when he was just 19 and became a key figure in Jurgen Klopp’s great Liverpool sides, redefining the right-back role with his vision, passing range and technical ability.

As well as winning six major trophies at Anfield, the defender posted some incredible individual numbers, including claiming double figures for assists across all competitions in all but one season between 2018/19 and 2023/24.

When Alexander-Arnold left his boyhood club for Madrid in summer 2025 - a decision that saw him booed by sections of the Liverpool fanbase during a draw with Arsenal - he was expected to thrive at arguably the biggest club on the planet. But it hasn’t worked out that way.

The England international’s debut season was hampered by injuries, as separate hamstring and thigh issues ruled him out for a total of four months. When he was fit, he struggled to make his mark in an underachieving side that ended the campaign trophyless, not helped by the change of manager from Xabi Alonso to Alvaro Arbeloa in January.

Alexander-Arnold failed to make England’s World Cup 2026 squad and he has been similarly overlooked in two of Madrid’s biggest games this season. He was an unused substitute in last month’s derby defeat by Atletico Madrid in La Liga and Wednesday’s victory over Roma in the Champions League, with head coach Jose Mourinho selecting summer signing Denzel Dumfries instead.

It means there is no guarantee Alexander-Arnold gets on the pitch at the Nou Camp next Sunday, when he could be up against Barcelona left-winger Gordon. In contrast, the former Everton man looks increasingly likely to start after beginning the season in promising form.

Despite starring for Newcastle United in a three-and-a-half year spell after leaving the Toffees in January 2023, eyebrows were raised over the £69.3m fee Barcelona paid for Gordon earlier this summer.

The 25-year-old has responded with an excellent few months individually, starting five of England’s World Cup games and scoring in the semi-final defeat by Argentina. He claimed two assists off the bench on his Barcelona debut, against Elche, and notched his first goals for the club in the wins over Getafe and Galatasaray in the past eight days.

Gordon has become a regular starter for European football’s form team and has risen to the challenge of playing alongside the likes of Lamine Yamal and Rodri every week. Ultimately, he has already kicked on following his move to one of Spain’s superclubs, whereas Alexander-Arnold’s career has stalled.

This is also evident in their international prospects. While Gareth Southgate failed to get the best out of Alexander-Arnold when he was England manager, he did at least continue to select him. Thomas Tuchel has largely ignored the right-back completely.

The defender was recalled for the first time since his Madrid debut for the recent batch of Nations League fixtures, although even that was hardly a ringing endorsement from Tuchel. It is unlikely he would have made the cut if Reece James or Tino Livramento had been fit, while Jarell Quansah started the Three Lions’ biggest game of the international window, against Spain.

Essentially, Alexander-Arnold is further down the pecking order with England now than when he was at Liverpool, which seems crazy for a player of his ability and age, having just turned 28.

The ex-Red did start both matches against Czechia and provided the assist for Gordon’s opener in Prague, one of three goals in as many games scored by the winger in the international window. Gordon appears to have more of a swagger now he is a Barcelona player and looks a certain starter for England when fit.

It is already shaping up to be a hugely important season for both players, but for different reasons. Gordon has made an excellent start to his Barca career and if he maintains that level over a whole campaign, he will establish himself as one of the best wingers in world football.

Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold is at a crossroads. He certainly has the talent to turn his Madrid career around, but another inconsistent season would amplify the nagging doubts that his move to the Spanish capital may have been a mistake.

His inability to nail down a place with England was arguably a red flag ahead of joining Madrid, who tend to appoint head coaches that take an approach to management often seen in international football. Just look at Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, who would trust the club’s superstars to win them games, rather than leaning on complex tactical plans.

Alexander-Arnold may even have been better suited to Barca, where he could now be linking up with Gordon in the same way that they did for England against Czechia. Instead, they will be El Clasico foes next Sunday - and that night at the Nou Camp will offer a clue as to what is in store for both players, this season and beyond.

You don’t have to be over 60 to know about Alfie Conn, but one look at any picture of the Scotsman in action will carbon date his heyday firmly to the 1970s.

Long curly hair flowing over his collar, huge sideburns plus a ’tache to die for, shirt hanging outside his shorts – Conn was the epitome of a rock’n’roll footballer in an age when the Bay City Rollers and the Faces were riding high in the charts, and fashion trends on Top of the Pops translated to the terraces.

At Tottenham back then, one fan was seen wearing a white butcher’s coat with “Gilzean is King of White Hart Lane” written in blood, a unique tribute to the club’s Scottish forward Alan Gilzean. In 1974 though, Gilzean was replaced in the affections of Spurs supporters by his compatriot, when Conn arrived from Rangers for £140,000, a huge sum at the time.

“We’ve got our own George Best,” was the sentiment on the Shelf and the Park Lane end at White Hart Lane, and there could be no higher praise. Best was football’s first bad-boy superstar, long before Paul Gascoigne, Eric Cantona and Mario Balotelli.

Conn looked the part too, played in a similar devil-may-care way, and quickly won over Spurs fans who’d grown up during the Bill Nicholson era, when the club won eight major trophies in 12 years playing stylish, attacking football. Nicholson’s final signing before stepping down fitted the bill in terms of what fans loved in a player, but it wasn’t all plain sailing.

Now 72, polite, softly spoken and mostly bald, it’s hard to marry the Conn of today to the image of a player who infamously taunted Billy Bremner and Norman Hunter by sitting on the ball during a game against Leeds, and prompted graffiti that proclaimed “Alfie Conn is God”, still seen in parts of north London long after he’d left Spurs.

“George Best was my idol, although I was never going to reach those heights – if I had an ounce of his ability, I’d have been quite happy,” he tells FFT now. As a youngster, he’d seen the Northern Irishman up close when Best played in a charity match to raise funds for victims of the 1971 Ibrox disaster. Best and Manchester United team-mate Bobby Charlton were guests in a combined Celtic/Rangers team against a Scotland XI, and Conn trained with them. “Just to see him up close was unbelievable,” he says.

At the time, Conn was still traumatised by the events of January 1971, when 66 Rangers fans died and more than 200 were injured in a crush at the end of an Old Firm game. “I’d just turned 18, played in the game and had no idea what had happened until later that evening, when my mum phoned to check if I was alright,” he explains.

Rangers officials and players spent days and weeks visiting survivors in hospital and attending funerals. “Sometimes we went to three a day – one was for five young brothers, who lived down the road,” Conn says. “It turned out to be one of the worst events in my life. I lost over a stone in weight.”

Conn started his career at Rangers, even though his father Alfie Conn Sr had played more than 400 games for Hearts and once for Scotland. “I was a fan from the first time I went to Ibrox as a kid, seeing the big red brick facade,” Alfie Jr explains.

He was thrown into his Rangers debut in a Fairs Cup game against Dundalk at the age of 16. “I had no nerves, no fear,” he admits. “You don’t at that age.” Conn went on as a substitute for Alex Ferguson, then the Rangers centre-forward. “I had no idea he’d go on to be one of the best managers ever, but you knew he’d succeed in whatever he did because of his nature,” Conn says now. “He was always up for a battle.”

A year after the low of the Ibrox disaster, Conn experienced the club’s greatest success, winning the 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup at Camp Nou. The Barcelona Bears, as they became known, beat Dynamo Moscow 3-2 in front of 35,000 fans. “It was over 34,000 Scots and two Russians,” Conn quips.

Crowd trouble in the city centre and two pitch invasions led to headlines around the world and a chaotic final. “We'd gone 3-0 up soon after half-time, but whether it was the heat or the occasion getting to us, we were shattered, out on our feet,” he says. “Dynamo got two goals back and to be honest the second pitch invasion did us a favour, it gave us a breather.”

The pitch was cleared in time to allow the players back for the final minute, before another invasion. “We were hit by police batons as we tried to get down the tunnel,” he says. “It was chaos.”

UEFA decided not to risk having a trophy presentation on the pitch, so the cup was presented in a small room inside the stadium. “John Greig, our captain, was taken to a wee room by UEFA officials, given the cup and told to get the hell out of there,” Conn says. “That was a real disappointment not to be able to celebrate with our fans, but it was one of the greatest nights of my career.”

The following year, Conn scored as Rangers beat Celtic 3-2 in the Scottish Cup final in front of 122,000, the last time Hampden reached that capacity before being downsized.

A year later he was off to England, having fallen out with manager Jock Wallace, but he was surprised to be joining Tottenham.

“I’d spoken to Tommy Docherty the week before and it was agreed that I’d join Manchester United,” Conn explains. “But then I was told to meet at the airport for a flight south, and thought I was going to meet him again in London. So imagine my surprise when I heard the Cockney voice of Eddie Baily, Bill Nicholson’s assistant, saying ‘Welcome to Tottenham’.

“As soon as I met Bill and he told me what was on offer, I said ‘Where do I sign?’ He was a great manager, one of the few who had that special aura which commanded respect, like Jock Stein, Bill Shankly and Don Revie.”

Conn’s wages more than trebled from £60 to £200 per week, plus a ‘crowd bonus’ for cup games – £3 per thousand fans, once the crowd reached more than 29,000. It was a huge incentive to pull in the punters, and Conn certainly did that once he’d established himself, which took six months.

He had injuries as Spurs struggled at the start of the season, before Nicholson quit and was surprisingly replaced by Terry Neill. The former Arsenal defender lasted less than two years at Spurs, before leaving to manage the Gunners. “The fans all thought he was using Spurs as a springboard to manage Arsenal, and we didn’t see eye to eye, but at least he gave me my chance,” Conn says.

His full debut, in January 1975, couldn’t have gone better. Away to Newcastle and needing a win, Spurs were 4-0 up by half-time and ended up winning 5-2, with Conn scoring a hat-trick. “My dad and grandad came down from Glasgow, and I went back up with them afterwards,” he remembers. “We all had a few drinks on the train back and when the ticket inspector came round, my grandad said we were celebrating my hat-trick, then ended up taking over his duties!”

Conn quickly became a fans’ favourite at Tottenham, taking over the King of White Hart Lane title from Gilzean. “I couldn't believe it the first time I heard it – that sort of thing makes your chest stick out,” he says. “I got on great with the fans, and to this day I still think of Tottenham as my club.”

But that result was an outlier as Spurs went on a run of eight defeats in nine games, and in their final game of the season, needed a win to avoid relegation. They were up against Leeds, a club he’d almost signed for as a teenager, now preparing to face Bayern Munich in the European Cup final.

Inspired by one Conn goal and two assists, Spurs raced into a 3-0 lead. He then, however, decided to sit on the ball and taunt Bremner, Hunter and Co. What was going through his mind? “Nothing!” he laughs now. “I don't know why I did it, but as soon as I looked round and saw big Pat Jennings shaking his head, I thought ‘What have I done?’ The Leeds players suddenly turned it on and within 15 minutes it had gone from 3-0 to 3-2. It was a relegation battle for us and I could have been the villain rather than hero. Fortunately we got a penalty, won 4-2 and stayed up.”

“I thought I'd better apologise to the Leeds players,” he adds. How was it received? “I don’t know – I popped my head round the dressing room door, said ‘Sorry lads’ and got out as quick as I could!”

The incident cemented Conn’s place in Tottenham folklore, but he still couldn’t nail down a regular place. Keith Burkinshaw replaced Neill but also had little time for the maverick Scot. Spurs continued to struggle and by the time they were relegated in 1977, Conn was gone.

“I was playing the reserves and got a call to say someone wanted to see me,” he explains. “It was Jock Stein. It’s fair to say that no-one else could have tempted me away, but he was different. I needed no persuasion, even though it meant going to Celtic, which I knew would be difficult.”

Stein had just one special condition. “He told me all the best players wore their hair short and were clean shaven, so would I mind a haircut?” Conn says. “It wasn’t a problem and he said ‘Good, I’ve got you booked in at the barber’s tomorrow!”

The newly clean-cut Conn went on to experience success at Celtic, winning two titles and the Scottish Cup, but as the first man to cross the Old Firm divide since World War Two, his move was not without trouble. “An old friend, the best man at my wedding, was a diehard Rangers fan and never spoke to me again,” he says. “People would come up to me in pubs and at social occasions, and give me grief. On rare occasions they still do, unfortunately.”

Conn’s career took him from Celtic to America, playing professionally in an indoor seven-a-side league and then for San Jose Earthquakes, before a brief return to British football. He retired to run a bar in Scotland, with his former Rangers team-mate Willie Henderson. On the opening night they promised a special guest, and the locals were stunned when the great Stanley Matthews walked in. “Everyone wanted his autograph, including me,” laughs Conn.

There’s great sadness in his eyes when he talks about losing his wife Sue to motor neurone disease in 2021, and he now raises funds for MND charities through events and royalties from his recent autobiography.

He has few regrets from a colourful career that was blighted by injuries and some managers' mistrust of mavericks like him. He won just two caps for Scotland and wishes he could have featured more for Spurs. “If Bill Nicholson had stayed on, I would have played a lot more and stayed longer,” he says.

Conn appeared just 49 times for Tottenham, scoring 10 goals, yet his impact was about more than just pure statistics. With his swagger, sideburns and long curly hair, for many of the Spurs supporters who watched him play, he’s still the King of White Hart Lane.

Conn’s book What’s It All About? The Alfie Conn Story is available now

Like many retired footballers, the competitive itch remains for Michael Owen.

But rather than drop down the leagues or enter the dugout, the former Ballon d'Or winner has turned away from football to indulge his post-playing competitive instinct.

At Manor House Stables, his training operation in Cheshire, Owen has built a business that combines his love of horse racing with the same drive that saw him become one of English football's most prolific goalscorers.

Owen on his drive to make Manor House the best

"I don’t really like just taking part – I want to be at the very top table," Owen tells FourFourTwo when asked about the scale of his ambition for the stables.

"We’re mixing it now but there’s a long way to go to be one of the best. Being the best is possibly an impossible thing when you think of the superpowers, but we’ve definitely got room for improvement.

"What do we need to do? We need more horses, better quality horses. How do you get more horses? You need more owners, wealthier owners I suppose if you want to be brutally honest about it. How do we do that? We need results and a facility to look after people that want to have a good time. And how do we do that? We have to be at the cutting edge of science and get out there when there’s a big event on and there might be potential owners there.

"You’ve got to get your arse off your comfy chair and start pressing flesh. You have to have drive and ambition, you have to be here at the crack of dawn, learning your business, getting the best out of your staff, motivating them. It all starts with a target, which is to be the best in the business.

"If you’d seen us 20 years ago, when I set this place up, and at any stage in between, it’s been constant progress. That can’t stop and won’t stop while I’m here – and I’m going to be here for a very long time hopefully."

Owen's focus at Manor House is on flat racing, which precludes a crack at the Grand National, but does he dream of winning one of the other big races one day?

"The Derby, absolutely, although people ask me what’s the dream, and having this business, employing all these people, in many ways I’m living the dream now," he continues. "And it’s like saying ‘If you win the league or the Ballon d’Or as a footballer, is that the dream, is that it then, you’ve achieved it?’ No it’s bloody not, I want to do it again and again. Who the hell wants to do something that’s so good once and doesn’t want to do it again?

"If I won the Derby, I wouldn’t put ‘For Sale’ signs up. So yes, it is a dream to win it, but this place isn’t stopping regardless of what we achieve. I will die doing this, whereas I had to stop at football at 33. I can continue running this place forever, trying to be successful, and the beauty is you really enjoy it along the way.

"It’s a constant joy – following horses, going to Royal Ascot for a week, Glorious Goodwood, I might go to the Breeders Cup in Kentucky or the Melbourne Cup in Australia, travelling the world seeing your horses running. It’s just the most incredible business.

"I don’t have to run around for 90 minutes any more – blood, sweat and tears. I can just enjoy it."

All six episodes of Meet the Owens are available now to stream on Amazon Prime Video

Thomas Hitzlsperger enjoyed a distinguished career, turning out for Germany at the highest level and playing for the likes of Aston Villa, Stuttgart and West Ham.

But in January 2014, several months after hanging up his boots, his decision to publicly come out as gay had a profound impact far beyond the football pitch.

The former midfielder became one of the most high-profile former footballers to come out, speaking candidly about his sexuality in an interview with German newspaper Die Zeit, at a time when male homosexuality remained a largely taboo subject in professional football.

Hitzlsperger on his experience of coming out

More than a decade has passed since then, with Hitzlsperger reflecting on the response he received and his message, and his advice for those still struggling with their identity.

"My estimation is that 95 per cent of the reactions were positive," he tells FourFourTwo. "The overall sentiment from people was that it was great that someone had spoken up. They said to me it was powerful that someone who’d played at the highest level could share his experiences.

"When I was contemplating the idea of going public, there was fear involved," he admits. "You’re thinking ‘What are people going to say? They may not like it and will criticise me’. I was dealing with my perception of what the world was like at the time, and my own fear of rejection.

"But having gone public, I realised that all my worries were unjustified and it felt like the world wasn’t such a bad place. At times, the media painted the picture of a hostile world, but then you speak up and think to yourself ‘Why is this not happening, why is the world so much better and why are there so many lovely people?’

"That’s why I say we have to tell more positive stories and not focus on a narrative that’s so sad and tragic. We have to talk about everything, but in general my ambition is to be positive and say “Life can be pretty amazing – if you don’t think you fit in, wait until you tell people and you’ll find many who will support you.” You can’t see what’s in front of you until you tell your story and live your truth.

"I spoke about a real sense of community during my childhood from a familial sense, and now I’m part of another community – the gay one. Meeting new people has expanded my horizons. Instead of focusing on people you might lose because of rejection, rather look at all the new and wonderful people who you wouldn’t have met before, if you’d kept quiet. The best part of coming out is not having to worry any more. I now focus on my job – as a shareholder, a CEO and a TV pundit – and my personal life, and nothing else.

"Whatever I do in life I want to be successful, but if you constantly live with fear, then you can’t be your best self. I knew that not living my truth couldn’t go on and I had to make a statement for my own benefit. If it helped others, even better."

Hitzlsperger adds that his experience can help others who are struggling with their identity.

"What would I say now to those who may be struggling with their sexuality and think the world is a bad place?" he asks. "I’ve been supported by so many people and live my life now without any fears, when it comes to my personality. I was delighted to get that affirmation as well from people I worked with in the game and those that just followed my footballing journey. I was very grateful and appreciative to everyone who said something positive publicly.

"After the newspaper interview I did with Die Zeit was published in 2014, my former team-mate Lukas Podolski described my coming out as “brave” and “an important sign of our time”. My former national team boss Joachim Low said I “deserved respect from every side.”"

Football v Homophobia is a year-round initiative tackling anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, building inclusive communities at all levels of the game around the world. For more info and support, visit footballvhomophobia.com

During his 18-year career, Toby Alderweireld would clock up more than 600 appearances, winning league titles in three countries and racking up 127 appearances for the Belgium national side.

But everyone has to start somewhere, and for Alderweireld it was something of a baptism of fire when he was handed a brutal introduction to the professional game.

The centre-back had come through Ajax's famed academy and was used to mixing with the best players in his age group, but that did little to prepare him for the test of going up against two of his generation's best and most physical strikers in his first senior match.

Alderweireld on face Adriano and Ibrahimovic

The future Spurs man's first taste of the men's game came in a pre-season match against Inter Milan, who featured Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano in attack, with both strikers at the peak of their powers.

Alderweireld learned a valuable lesson that day - even if his first reaction was to wonder whether he would be able to mix it at the highest level.

“My first game for Ajax, in the pre-season Amsterdam Tournament," the Belgian tells FourFourTwo.

"There were two games in two days – our first team played against Arsenal, then our second team played against Inter," with the teenage defender being given the opportunity to impress against the Italian side.

"I was young and played at centre-back against big guys, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano."

At that time, Ibrahimovic was in his pomp, combining physicality and a 6ft 5in frame with technical brilliance, while Adriano was renowned for his explosive power and fearsome left foot. It soon became clear that a test like this was nothing his time in the Ajax academy could prepare him for.

Alderweireld initially attempted to take this levelling up in his stride, but was soon handed a reality check.

"I thought ‘OK, this is professional football, this is a different level’," he continues. "After 20 minutes, I was like ‘This is not for me’, but sometimes you need to have your head against the wall to become better.

"It gave me a lot of insight – I thought ‘I need to get stronger’. I played a good game and it wasn’t like we lost 5-0, but physically against those two in their prime, it was a good reality check.”

And while the young Alderweireld endured a testing afternoon, those first 20 minutes would prove to be vital in helping him become the defender he wanted to be.

Alderweireld was speaking in association with BOYLE Sports 2 Goals Ahead

Football has always had its mavericks, but some players couldn't help but take things to another level.

From wild nights out and outrageous antics to long hair, leather jackets and a love of loud guitars, these were the footballers who brought a genuine rock ’n’ roll spirit to the beautiful game.

FourFourTwo runs down some of the players who proved that football and rock ’n’ roll were a match made in heaven...

Frank Worthington

At Baileys nightclub in Leicester in 1975, Frank Worthington dressed up as Elvis Presley and belted out the hits of the King of Rock’n’Roll.

The iconic forward worshipped Elvis and did his best to emulate that rock’n’roll lifestyle throughout a career in which he netted more than 250 goals and was idolised pretty much everywhere he went.

Hailing from Halifax, Worthington defied the stereotype of the no-nonsense northerner, displaying sublime skills on the field for Huddersfield Town, and living a flamboyant life off it, turning up for an England under 23s match in cowboy boots.

A 1972 move to Liverpool collapsed after he was found to have high blood pressure, with Bill Shankly initially sending him off to Majorca for a week to sort himself out. How did he use the time? He consorted with five different women, including a former Miss Great Britain, before returning to Merseyside with even higher blood pressure, and failing the medical again.

A notorious womaniser, he later named his autobiography [i]One Hump Or Two?[/i] “I was living a bit too much in the fast lane,” he admitted. Not always heading in the right direction, either: once, he had four court appearances in a year because of his driving – one was for doing a U-turn on the motorway in his Ford Mustang.

Defenders had no more of a clue which way he was going – after starring for Leicester, he scored a memorable goal for Bolton against Ipswich when he picked up the ball with his back to goal outside the area, juggled it, flicked it over both his own head and the head of a bamboozled Terry Butcher, then volleyed it into the net, all in one motion. Trotters boss Ian Greaves labelled him ‘the working man’s George Best’.

Greaves had also been his manager at Huddersfield – once growing tired of Worthington playing Elvis tapes on the team bus, ejecting the cassette and throwing it out of the window. It didn’t curtail the forward’s love of the King – when he moved to Sunderland, he’d turn up at training dressed as Elvis.

Despite his talent, Worthington earned only eight England caps – the cowboy boots at the under 23 game didn’t endear him to Alf Ramsey, and he irritated future Three Lions boss Don Revie with some showboating against Leeds, amid a perception that he wasn’t committed enough. “I admit that I used to get about a bit, but I’m quieter these days,” he insisted in 1978. “Instead of going out seven nights a week, I keep it to six."

Eric Cantona

Liam Gallagher claimed that Cantona “ruined my life in the ’90s”, so brilliant was he for Manchester United, the big rivals of Gallagher’s Manchester City.

Yet the singer’s respect for him was so great that he later invited King Eric to star in the video for his 2020 single Once, dressed in full regal attire.

Cantona always created magic on the pitch, but he was banned for a kung-fu tackle on an opponent during his time at Auxerre, then infamously repeated it on a fan at Selhurst Park. This led to the

Frenchman’s lengthy ban and enigmatic musings about seagulls and trawlers.

In true rock-star style, he abruptly quit in his prime, at the age of 30. “Cantona was the last rock ’n’ roll footballer,” declared Gallagher, still going at 52.

Leighton Baines

The left-back may not have been a flair player like Worthington, but he became something of an indie icon during 15 years in the Premier League.

Baines became known for taking a guitar with him on England away trips and even penned a regular music blog for Everton’s official website, hailing the likes of Tame Impala, The xx, Can, Lana Del Rey and The Black Keys, some before they became bonafide superstars.

Like former Evertonian Pat Nevin before him, Baines had his finger on the pulse, and also adopted the sideburns of a mod for some of his career. “He’s a quiet lad, but as I got to know him, it became clear he was a massive music fan,” explained singer Miles Kane, having become pals with the defender. “We started talking music, listening and swapping tracks. He put me on to Tame Impala before they hit it off.”

Now assistant manager at Everton, the full-back even inspired Irish band The Baines to name themselves after him. There can be no greater rock’n’roll credential.

Gunter Netzer

In an era when most German footballers were still listening to banal schlager music, Netzer was paying closer attention to The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.

A rebel from the start, Netzer’s long flowing locks were unheard of in the Bundesliga in the late 1960s – no-one could match his passing ability either, as the playmaker spearheaded Borussia Monchengladbach’s rise from the second tier to two German titles, earning the nickname Karajan, after a famous Austrian conductor. Netzer was also the star as West Germany took England apart at Wembley during qualifying for Euro 1972, before helping his country win the tournament that summer.

An aversion to authority meant he didn’t always see eye to eye with club boss Hennes Weisweiler: keen to conserve his energy for the key moments during games, rather than worrying about things like running around or tackling, he’d also worried his manager by opening a nightclub. “This is the end,” Weisweiler groaned, concerned about the distractions it would lead to. Previously, Netzer had nearly killed himself after crashing his yellow Ferrari, ruling himself out of the 1970 World Cup.

When the midfielder agreed to join Real Madrid in 1973, an irked Weisweiler dropped him for the DFB Pokal final – Netzer refused to come on as a half-time sub, then told the exhausted Christian Kulik to go off ahead of extra-time. “Now I’m playing,” he told Weisweiler, having subbed himself on, before scoring the winner.

Unwilling to cut his hair when he moved to Madrid, he twice won La Liga during three years in Spain but once took advantage of a two-week injury lay-off to covertly fly to Las Vegas without permission, after being invited to the wedding of Frank Sinatra’s daughter Tina. Obtaining a second passport and sneaking through Madrid airport in disguise, he was sat alongside Sammy Davis Jr and Neil Diamond at a Sinatra concert on the night before the wedding, while his team-mates were playing a game against Real Murcia that weekend.

Back in Madrid days later, oblivious team-mate Ignacio Zoco asked Netzer if he’d watched any TV that weekend. The German said no. “Sinatra’s comeback show was on TV,” said Zoco, who was engaged to singer Maria Ostiz. “Maria swears there was a guy in the audience who looked just like you – you must have a doppelganger.” It would be decades before Zoco found out the truth.

Petr Cech

The legendary goalkeeper didn’t just use his hands to keep out some of the world’s best strikers – he also developed a talent for drumming.

The Czech Republic star launched his own YouTube channel, featuring videos of himself drumming along to System Of A Down, Coldplay, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Rammstein and others. Asked by FFT which band he’d join if he had the chance, past or present, he said: “Nirvana or Foo Fighters – I was always a fan of Dave Grohl.”

Cech did join folk rock band Wills & The Willing for their song Iceberg, and even released a charity single with Queen’s Roger Taylor. He’s got rhythm.

Slaven Bilic

After eschewing an umbrella at Wembley to defeat The Wally With The Brolly and guide Croatia to Euro 2008, Bilic promptly recorded his own song for the tournament, too.

The former centre-back was a guitarist in the rock band Rawbau, having fallen in love with the genre as a child. “I couldn’t imagine my life without music,” he once told FFT. “For my birthday when I was 10 or 11, my father took me to a shop and bought me my first record: Highway to Hell by AC/DC. For me it was Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, then Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Guns N’ Roses.

“My brother is three years older, and you get everything from your brother. The guitar was in the corner of our room, and I’d pretend to play it like I was Angus Young of AC/DC.”

In 1996, by then a Croatia international defender, Bilic joined West Ham from German side Karlsruher. “I knew every word of every Iron Maiden song, and they’re big West Ham fans,” he explained. “After I signed, I went to the players lounge one day and thought ‘My god, is that Steve Harris?’ Ian Bishop had invited him because they were friends. We spoke and I was almost shaking.

“The first time I saw them live was in Manchester, and they invited me backstage after the gig. I thought ‘Oh, it’s going to be like what you read about in those autobiographies, with the parties and everything’. But when I opened the door, one of the band members was blow-drying his daughter’s hair! We’re still friends and text each other.”

Music helped him cope with life after playing, too. “When I had to retire early, I wasn’t in a good place,” he said. “I was into the guitar, though, and wrote some songs, lyrics, riffs – then I felt good again. I had some friends in music and we started jamming, then recorded some songs. Then Hajduk Split asked me to take over and the rest is history.”

Seven years later, Bilic had guided Croatia to the Euros when his band released the song Vatreno Ludilo (Fiery Madness). The title summed up their tournament: they thought they’d scored a 119th-minute winner in the quarters against Turkey, only to dramatically concede in the 122nd minute, then lose a penalty shoot-out.

Bilic has since had spells as manager of West Ham, West Bromwich Albion and Watford – sacked by the trigger-happy Hornets after less than six months. Fire-y madness, in that instance.

German Burgos

Burgos wasn’t content to be a guitarist – the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper wanted to sing.

A huge bloke with long unkempt hair, who sometimes took to the stage topless, it’s perhaps no surprise that his vocals were a little rough and ready at times. He wasn’t about to challenge Adele for any awards, but the shot-stopper looked the part on stage, releasing five singles with his bands The Garb and the Burgos Simpatia (‘Burgos Sympathy’), drawing on influences from AC/DC to Guns N’ Roses.

Nicknamed Mono (‘Monkey’), he even performed songs on TV shows during a playing career that saw him represent Argentina 35 times, before becoming Diego Simeone’s long-serving assistant manager at Atleti. Bad cop and even badder cop – scary stuff.

Stan Bowles

When FourFourTwo asked Pete Doherty which former QPR player he’d bring back to play for the Loftus Road club’s current team, he didn’t have to think for long.

“Stan Bowles,” explained the Libertines wild child. “I always wonder how someone like him would fit in today’s game. I’d love to see him drifting around scratching his leg on the halfway line, give him the ball and see what the 24-year-old Stan Bowles could do. They thought it was funny back then when he’d take a programme off a fan and read it halfway through the game, but now he’d probably get fined and banned for two matches.”

Bowles left QPR in the year that Doherty was born, but his legend lived on – he was later voted the club’s greatest ever player.

Born in the north west, he started his career at Manchester City before a nightclub row with boss Malcolm Allison, then a spell at Bury, where manager Ernie Tagg remarked that “if he could pass a bookies as well as he passes a football, he’d be a very rich man”. The gambling addict was said to sometimes pause during games and ask fans with transistor radios whether they knew the latest horse racing results.

He possessed supreme ability, though – as a Carlisle player, he remarkably helped them beat Roma in the Anglo-Italian Cup at the Stadio Olimpico, angering the home crowd by doing keepy-uppies mid-match. The replacement for Rodney Marsh at QPR, he won five England caps and claimed to have deliberately sent the FA Cup trophy flying during a match at Sunderland. Days after the Wearsiders had won the cup, it had been placed pitchside by the halfway line for a Second Division fixture.

“There were a couple of us who had a bet on who could knock it off the table with the ball,” he said. “With the ball at my feet, I tore off straight across the park. The whole ground knew I’d done it on purpose.”

A spell at Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest wasn’t successful – he walked out on the 1980 European Cup final after the manager left him out of John Robertson’s testimonial match, but his rock’n’roll lifestyle resulted in a song that reached number 36 in the charts.

"It was about Stan and my mate Peter Doherty,” explained Dominic Masters of The Others, after releasing the song [i]Stan Bowles[/i] in 2004. “Pete Doherty is the Stan Bowles of the music world, and Stan Bowles was the Pete Doherty of the football world.”

Gaizka Mendieta

The Spaniard met FFT in central London in 2019 – immediately grabbing a guitar, leaping into the air and demanding that we took his photo.

OK, that might not be quite how it happened – we’d actually hired the Gibson LP Gold Top from a nearby guitar store for the photoshoot, after hearing he was a huge rock fan. He’d even played guitar on stage alongside band Los Planetas at the Benicassim Festival in his homeland.

“I like Wolf Alice at the moment,” he explained, after spending a good minute just admiring the guitar we’d brought along. “British music is so rich. When I played in Spain, no one had the same taste in music as me. They’d put on rap in the dressing room and I’d think ‘OK, come on, that’s enough now!’”

Dani Osvaldo

Long before Osvaldo quit football to take up music, he was displaying true rock’n’roll credentials – just by generally acting like a nutter.

The Argentina-born Italy international was suspended by Roma in 2011 for punching team-mate Erik Lamela in the face during an argument – well, he did have one of those faces – then was sold after rowing with caretaker boss Aurelio Andreazzoli and refusing to attend an awards ceremony.

It led to a £12.8m move to Southampton, where he turned Vincent Kompany inside out then chipped the goalkeeper against Manchester City, but was soon banned for three matches for a touchline fracas, then headbutted team-mate Jose Fonte during a training ground incident and never played for the club again.

At Inter, he fell out with Mauro Icardi (not exactly a stranger to falling out with team-mates himself), and was suspended for not turning up for training. At Boca Juniors, he had a contretemps with the manager for smoking in the dressing room, and was fired.

His response? To quit football at 30 and focus on music. “People look at me like ‘You're crazy, you played in some of the best teams in the world and you decided just to quit to do this?’” he admitted. “They don’t understand – it’s my passion.”

Months later, Jorge Sampaoli tried to persuade him to change his mind and sign for Sevilla, but was unsuccessful. “He told me ‘Dani, I’m not asking anything of you, you can do what you want on the pitch and off it, but I need a striker’,” Osvaldo explained. “I said ‘But boss, there’s the Cosquin Rock festival!’”

The Rolling Stones fan played gigs in Barcelona as the frontman of his own band, Barrio Viejo – with a beard, tattoos and often a look of Johnny Depp, he also later appeared on Italy’s version of Dancing With The Stars. "There are so many rules in football, and I’m not good with the rules, I like to be free,” he added. “I was going crazy and decided to live the musician’s life instead.”

Osvaldo did return to football to join Banfield on a one-year contract in 2020, but lasted only six months. At least he got out of there without headbutting anyone…

Alexi Lalas

The ginger-haired goatee king was the stand-out character of the USA team that played the 1994 World Cup on home soil, and has also released not one but eight solo albums over the past three decades.

An avid fan of glam metal band Ratt, Lalas shot to fame thanks to his unusual look and his goal in the USA’s shock win over Graham Taylor’s hapless England in 1993 – everything about the centre-back absolutely screamed ‘early Premier League years transfer to Coventry City’, but sadly a move to Highfield Road fell through after the World Cup, and they had to settle for Cobi Jones instead.

Lalas meanwhile concentrated on opening for Hootie & The Blowfish during their 1998 European tour, with his band The Gypsies, and releasing a never-ending list of albums – Far from Close, Ginger, So It Goes, Infinity Spaces, Shots, Sunshine, Look at You and Melt Away

Gareth Ainsworth

Few managers celebrate promotion by posing for photos at the training ground, using a corner flag as a microphone. But Ainsworth has always been a little bit different.

When the long-haired former Preston, Lincoln and Wimbledon winger moved into management with Wycombe, he wasn’t about to don a tracksuit on the touchline – instead, he favoured an open-necked shirt and even red cowboy boots during the Chairboys’ successful League One play-off campaign in 2020. “I don’t want to copy anyone else,” he insisted, of his managerial style. “If I did, it would probably be Jim Morrison or Michael Hutchence.”

Ainsworth has always been a rocker at heart, continuing as the lead singer of a band while managing in the EFL. “We’re keeping the Cold Blooded Hearts going and recording our own stuff,” he told FFT in 2020. “It’s been difficult because football takes over – it was much easier when I was playing and in the band Dog Chewed The Handle. Monday night is rehearsal night these days – although if we get a Monday night game on Sky, I may have to change that.”

He’s now manager of Gillingham, via a spell at Shrewsbury and a stint at QPR, where he went left-field in a different way, bringing in a Maori performer to do a performance for the squad at the training ground, in full traditional costume. Many of them were baffled.

Later asked by FFT for his opinion on the greatest rock album of all time, Ainsworth thought carefully. “I have an all-time favourite band, which needs mentioning before we get to the album – I’m such a massive fan of The Doors,” he explained. “I was a teenager when the 1991 documentary about the Doors came out and I was blown away, so anything by them is basically my idea of heaven.

“But if I’m just picking a single album, and I’m in a real rock‘n’roll mood, I’d actually have to pick a different band. In 1987, I went down to my local record shop in Blackburn and I picked up a vinyl copy of Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and it’s still one I reach for to get the blood pumping. I have to put that down as my number one all-time album.”

Did the album title inspire his use of 16-stone human wrecking ball Adebayo Akinfenwa at Wycombe? We may never know.

Fausitino Asprilla

Colombia’s early 90s side was one of the most rock’n’roll teams in history – take your pick from afro-meister Carlos Valderrama, rampaging goalkeeper Rene Higuita or Asprilla, who was 50 per cent genius, 50 per cent madman.

Having earned himself a move to Serie A with Parma, Asprilla then conspired to miss out on playing in a single minute of the 1993 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, after injuring himself kicking a bus door during a trip back to Colombia. “A bus driver smashed into my car – when I got out to get onto the bus, he shut the door on me, so I kicked it,” he later told FFT.

“I was furious. If I’d got into the bus, I would have hit him, but he escaped. I’m a bit calmer nowadays.”

Mere months after that 2008 interview, the former Newcastle striker displayed his new zen state, by being arrested for allegedly firing a machine gun at security forces near his farm. He’s been involved in rather less controversy in recent times, instead focusing his time on teaching his horse how to play football, by riding it while wearing a Tyrannosaurus Rex costume – there’s video footage and everything. Never change, Tino.

Merlin Röhl, Everton’s super-bright midfielder and occasional full-back, talks so passionately and intelligently about the importance of footballers training the eye to improve their game that it was no complete surprise to discover his mother is a doctor specialising in the eye. It is also no complete surprise that Röhl’s finely-tuned eye helps him develop as a photographer with a newly-published book of his work.

Röhl was walking back into the dressing-room at Finch Farm on Thursday morning when he noted two of David Moyes’ assistant managers, Leighton Baines and Billy McKinlay, chatting with a couple of players. The tableau immediately appealed to Röhl on two levels: the obvious camaraderie amongst Moyes’ squad and also the image attracted his photographer’s eye. So he got his Leica M6 out and snapped away. Staff and players are used to this now, not least because Baines himself is a talented photographer.

“We were coming in from training,” Röhl recalls, “and just sitting in front of the dressing room, a few lads, and Leighton and Billy were telling a story. They were laughing the whole time, pointing at each other. This situation meant so much to me. The connections between people. I took 20, 30 photos.”

Finch Farm has a family feel and Baines is almost a mentor to Röhl, who joined Everton on loan from Freiburg last year, impressed, and has now signed permanently. “When we talk about the mental side, and I was saying, ‘my mind works a lot’, it's sometimes the same for Leighton. We can be quite similar in certain thoughts, we share them, and then we help each other to find a balance in our life.

Röhl has a very active brain. “I would say so. There are certain days where I come home from training and think about so many things, my past and the lives of other people. Something needs to help me to live a life where I can help my brain to calm down a little bit – so I pick up a camera, do some photos.

“Leighton was talking the other day about ‘something has a significance, and sometimes the same thing has an insignificance’. When you’re injured, of course, the significance of your injury is so high, but also it's maybe just a small adductor injury and compared to some real health problems is nothing. That helps to put something into perspective, to just enjoy life. That helps me a lot.”

Baines and Seamus Coleman encouraged Röhl’s lens work. While providing opportunity for photography, injury has impeded some of his impact but Röhl is clearly a well-regarded team-mate. It’s why the players have accommodated his picture-taking. Rohl certainly gets close-ups. In his new photo-book, “Life with Everton”, one picture of Michael Keane and Vitaliy Mikolenko playing chess in the dressing-room captures the defenders utterly absorbed in their game and utterly unaware of the camera.

It’s in black and white, which Rohl loves, also reflecting his admiration for a photographer famed for his black-and-white work. “The most famous one is Henri Cartier-Bresson! Legend! In the beginning, I looked at his photos and was like, ‘nice photos’. As soon as you know more about photography, you know more how brilliant he was. When I look at his photographs, step by step, I find something I was never thinking about, see how much detail you can put into a photo from composition, and how perfect his photos are.

Röhl mentions one in particular. “There’s a picture where it was really about the background - a really small reflection of a bicycle.” Taken by Cartier-Bresson in 1932, the photo is titled “Hyeres, France” but also known as “The Cyclist”. “He was completely aware of how to put those little things in. That’s what fascinated me about his pictures.”

Should it be so strange? Footballer as photographer? Eric Dier has a passion for photography as does Baines. Alfie Whiteman, the former Tottenham Hotspur keeper, has already had an exhibition of his photos. Players often talk about having “pictures” in their head, snap-shots of where team-mates are on the pitch.

Röhl nods when I mention he’s used to framing images on the field, scanning where everyone is, especially when he plays in midfield. “As a footballer, you need to do that framing. I'm a player who is visualising a lot, thinking, dreaming, about certain patterns, images and situations. And if there's another connection to being a photographer, you also need to have imagination.”

Which is why Röhl’s favourite player is a Brazilian legend. “Kaka is the most famous player that I really loved to watch. He had a joy of playing, the speed and technical ability. That's something I'm still dreaming about getting on the pitch.” Starting out, Röhl played as a 10 at times in Germany. “A lot of players have a technical ability. But when your physical output is so high, when you're running so much, you're pressing, then it's so hard to be very good technically in those very important moments. It was there that Kaka was one of the best.”

Of the current generation, Röhl name-checks a player he encountered in the DFB-Pokal. “When I was in Germany, I played against Jude Bellingham,” Röhl recalls of when his first club, Ingolstadt, visited Borussia Dortmund in 2021. “Oh, wow, I really enjoyed that.” Rohl played more of a no.10 role in that game and saw Bellingham close up. “The ability to keep the ball in difficult situations is something where he's incredible. He's rarely losing the ball. That puts him, really, as a stand-out player from a lot of the players at the top. He can play every position, is just so versatile, just keeps the ball - and then he scores.”

Röhl was only 19, playing for the Bundesliga.2 side before moving to Freiburg the following year. He’s always wanted to be a footballer. Röhl grew up in a home in Potsdam where his parents encouraged him to explore all his potential, academic and sporting, and self-development. “Both my parents are doctors. The situation at home was they created something where I can do whatever I want. A lot of people normally have ‘you need this job or that job, you need to earn the money’. My parents gave me love, freedom and all the opportunities to pursue a little bit of an artistic way of living my life.

“Just having people giving you trust and love for the whole life, and putting you in a position where I have the courage to do certain things, to share my thoughts, and to express myself be on the pitch. That’s something that my parents gave me, and that's something I really, really love.”

His parents were keen on their son doing his Abitur, the German equivalent of A-levels despite the demands of football. “At Ingolstadt, where I was becoming professional, it was quite difficult at that time. The manager wanted me in the first-team squad, and played me, but my school was not completely matched with the training schedule. The manager was just saying, ‘Merlin, I cannot move the training. You need to be out of school. Because you will be a professional football player, and you don't need the school’.”

That didn’t go down well at home. “My parents were like, ‘No, it's the most important thing in life: go to school, get your Abitur’.’ I didn't play for a few games. I got my Abitur. Afterwards, I was playing. It worked out. I had the dream in my head. I was 16, 17, I want to be a midfielder. I want to play in the Premier League.” To develop, he analysed those in his position. “I watched players that had some similar attributes or I wanted some attributes in my game. I watched (Ryan) Gravenberch in the beginning. He takes on the ball a lot, has great turns in the middle, and also very tall.” Röhl himself is 6ft 3in.

“Football opened up a new life for me, where I'm financially so stable, where I have something that I have such a big passion for. If I wouldn't have football, it would be really hard for me to find something where I would have that passion. Also the pressure of earning money would be there.” What might he have done? “Maybe medicine would be interesting. Neuro-science would be something I'm really interested in to understand our brain and how we see the world.”

He’s only 24 but has already thought about his post-playing career, including studying and teaching how even elite footballers can find an extra edge. “Eye exercises,” Röhl says. “I played in the middle a lot, and both eyes need to turn a lot, even the head needs to turn about. In the beginning, when I switched the first few games to right-back, I had a weird sensation in my neck, because my neck was always being in one position, but never doing this (swivelling). Not a lot of people are aware of that: if the football changes, your eye needs to change.”

He’s done different vision exercises, training the muscle, since his early days at Ingolstadt and Freiburg. “It's something I really believe in. It’s massive. Quite a few clubs have a trainer who teaches you.” They taught him certain routines. “A lot, yes. I have a stick with numbers on it.” He focuses on each number in turn to strengthen his field of vision. “Your eye needs to go from far to very near. I also do a lot of eye switches. I have a metronome. It goes 100 beats per minute, and then your eyes switch like this (Rohl moves his eyes quickly left to right, right to left). It's training a muscle. If you have fast eyes, you can track the ball faster and then switch faster to the player where you want to play the ball.”

An option for Moyes in midfield and full-back, Röhl is loving being in this Everton squad. “We got now a little bit smaller group than last year, but very strong characters, very good players. It's something that shows in training and in the games, we have people that step up in big moments, and that's very special.”

Everton are currently fifth, heading into a challenging game on Saturday against Chelsea at a noisy Hill Dickinson Stadium. “Everton fans always support us. They demand a lot from us, and that's something that creates a lot of energy between the team and the supporters, and a lot of intensity on the pitch. We fight to get (deliver) the expectations of the fans. It's something that's very special.

“I always have the feeling we need to win every game so we meet expectations. I like the feeling of work as hard as possible and then you get the best outcome. I find that much, much better than just to say, ‘maybe we just try to be in the middle of the table and see what comes when we play’. I really like the pressure. I really like the expectations.”

And Röhl really likes Hill Dickinson Stadium. “It's big. It's loud. It's a stadium where we had last season a great moment when we drew Manchester City (3-3 in May, Röhl came on). It was very special for me that day. When we, as the players, perform it’s like the stadium explodes.

“I'm starting to realise how big this club is. I'm sometimes trying to explain it to German people. I even tried to explain it to a German journalist last week, because I felt that he was not aware of how big Everton is. He was like, ‘yeah, you have this big club in your city. How does it feel to have Liverpool in your city?’ And I was trying to explain to him how big Everton is in this country, and how famous this club is, the history, the expectation. Some people just need a little bit of a reminder, so I'm happy to express that.”

Röhl seen quickly that Everton are more than a club. They are embedded in the community, doing vital outreach work in some of the poorer parts of the country. “Step by step, I will have a deeper connection to the community work here, and try to be connected more to the club, and what they do all around the city, and to understand the city more, and the people that live here. You mentioned poor areas. This club means so much to the people and can help people to get away from certain things (in life) that are really, really hard.” Röhl donates a large chunk of the proceeds from his book to Everton Multi-Academy Trust, because of his passion for education.

Blessed with a huge curiosity for other people, Röhl thinks about the mental challenges facing others. “A normal person with a normal job, there goes so much on in the brain like trying to work out the bills, thinking about the kids, and then there's so much anger inside of so many people, because everything is so hard. That's where the brain is sorting everything out.”

Röhl is conscious, almost very self-conscious, of his privilege in being a professional footballer. “Football opened up a new life for me, where I'm financially so stable, where I have something that I have such a big passion for. If I wouldn't have football, it would be really hard for me to find something where I would have that passion. Also the pressure of earning money would be there.” What might he have done? “Maybe medicine would be interesting. Neuro-science would be something I'm really interested in to understand our brain and how we see the world.” Through strong eyes.

Merlin Röhl, “Life with Everton” (Buxton Press) is out now.

Aston Villa essentially signed a brand new starting XI over the summer - they almost had to.

It was a period of substantial change for the Villans, who lost Amadou Onana to an ACL injury during the World Cup, Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, Ezri Konsa to Arsenal, Ollie Watkins to Al-Hilal, and Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Martinez to Chelsea. The spine of the squad was ripped out.

With a raft of outgoings and incomings, there was always going to be a period of transition. A time where the new players need to get up to speed with new teammates and the demands that come with working under a new manager. This, of course, is reflected in Villa’s league position.

Aston Villa upgraded on Ollie Watkins this summer

After the opening six games, Villa sit 16th with just five points to their name. In truth, it mirrors their start to the 2025/26 campaign, where they earned six points across the same period. That said, this is new ground for Emery and Villa. Such squad upheaval was always going to present teething issues.

And while Taylor Harwood-Bellis isn’t of the same standard of Konsa, and Joao Gomes is a different profile to Tielemans, there’s an argument to be made that Villa upgraded in the final third.

Nicolas Jackson moved to Chelsea in 2023. The Senegal international had enjoyed a fruitful second season in Spain with Villarreal, where he scored 12 and provided four assists despite starting just 16 league matches. A direct goal involvement every 100 or so minutes was a solid return.

It’s fair to say that Jackson’s Stamford Bridge spell didn’t go quite according to plan. Granted, across two Premier League seasons, he bagged 24 goals and provided 10 assists. However, ill-discipline marred his time in west London. A loan stint with Bayern Munich hardly did the 25-year-old many favours. Well, when you’re playing second fiddle to Harry Kane, that’s to be expected.

Even so, eight goals and one assist across 1004 minutes of Bundesliga action is not to be scoffed at. However, Jackson never really looked quite at home in Bavaria. He needed a club where he’d be first choice to rediscover his best form, and while it’s early days yet; the Senegalese hitman looks right at home on the Villa frontline.

Filling Watkins’ boots was always going to be easier said than done. The England star scored at least 15 league goals in each of his last four seasons at Villa Park. The 30-year-old endured a tough start to the 2025/26 campaign, scoring just three league goals before Christmas, but recovered for the second half of the season, ultimately netting 16 times in his final year at the club.

Even so, Jackson has scored more goals after six league outings this season (2) than Watkins managed after his opening 13 Premier League appearances last term (1). He’s scored three times across two Champions League games for good measure, too.

The summer signing is also offering more in the final third than Watkins did in the previous campaign. That’s not to say Watkins underwhelmed last season. On the contrary, his goals and assists were vital as Villa secured a top-four finish and claimed Europa League glory at the expense of Bundesliga side Freiburg.

The difference is that Jackson offers a little more on the ball than Watkins in a key area. Whereas the latter operates as a low-touch finisher, waiting for chances in the opposition box, the former is happy to drift across the frontline, drag markers out of position and, in the process, open up space for teammates to exploit.

This is particularly effective given the signing of Johan Manzambi, the Swiss a dynamic, box crashing midfielder who has scored one and provided two assists in the league.

As such, it’s hardly a surprise that Jackson is averaging more touches per 90 this season (33.7) than Watkins was last (28). Even then, the former is only averaging marginally fewer touches inside the opposition box per 90 (5.4) than the latter in the 2025/26 campaign (5.6). Jackson may pull away to the flanks, but he’s just as active in the penalty area as his predecessor.

He’s also prepared to pull the trigger more frequently than the former Villa man, with Jackson’s shots per 90 higher (2.8) than Watkins (2.2). With more successful dribbles per 90 (2.6 to 0.8), chances created per 90 (0.9 to 0.7), passes per 90 (16.1 to 15) and a better pass success rate (80.9% to 72.7%), Emery has a more rounded forward to call upon in his favoured 4-2-3-1 setup.

Watkins’ departure was a tough one to swallow for Villa fans. He’d become a mainstay for the Midlands side following his 2020 arrival from Brentford, and a nigh-on ever-present given his impressive injury record.

Yet the departures of Tielemans, Rogers and Watkins required a tactical rethink. Emery needed a forward who’d offer the directness of Rogers and the goalscoring capability of Watkins. In Jackson, he has the best of both, affording Emery the relevant attacking flexibility that’ll amplify Villa’s offensive unpredictability, whereas with Watkins, it was a little more one-dimensional.

For that reason alone, Jackson can be viewed as an upgrade on Watkins. Time will tell if the club-record signing truly exceeds the standards set by Villa’s recent leading marksman.

Romesh Ranganathan is possibly the busiest man in all of showbusiness – balancing his very many television commitments with his love of Arsenal.

Ranganathan is currently on the BBC's The Traitors, where he's picked as a Faithful (we won't give you any more spoilers than that) and has to navigate the pitfalls of the castle alongside friend Rob Beckett.

The comedian spoke to FourFourTwo about his life following the Gunners in 2021…

Romesh Ranganathan: 'I’ve never received so much abuse – not even at any of the gigs I’ve done since'

Why are you an Arsenal fan?

I’m Crawley born and bred, and people are forever having a go at me for not being a Crawley Town fan. It’s my dad’s fault. When he first came over from Sri Lanka, he stayed in north London and soon became a really militant Gooner. He ended up opening what was just an Arsenal-themed pub in East Grinstead. Punters would come to watch my dad lose his s**t over Arsenal – he’d shout, scream and go mental. This was when we were good, so imagine what he was like when we became rubbish! I went to Crawley when Arsenal played them in the FA Youth Cup [in 2003]. It was the first time I ever saw Cesc Fabregas. The Arsenal kids were all unbelievable, but a 16-year-old Cesc was on another level – he scored from the halfway line... just insane. They won 9-0.

Who was your childhood hero, and did you ever meet them?

I’ve always loved Ian Wright – both as a player and a personality. But I quickly learned you can make an absolute dick of yourself in front of your heroes. I was once with Kevin Bridges in a hotel bar, the morning after a big night’s drinking. We noticed Wrighty in there, but I felt so hungover and didn’t want to meet him. I desperately wanted him to like me, but didn’t feel equipped to be interesting or amusing. We got up to leave, but then he suddenly walked over and introduced himself.

All I could do was garble some gushing nonsense. Even Kevin told me, “Jesus, that was f**king awful banter you were inflicting on the poor guy.” I ended up having to ask a mutual acquaintance to apologise for my s**t chat. So I’ve decided, in the same way I prepare for a show, I’m going to work up material for the next time I see Ian. I’ll try it out in the car until I feel ready.

Who’s your current favourite player?

Hector Bellerin – I’ve met him and he genuinely loves Arsenal. I think it’s unfair that people expect players to have personalities, too. The physical prowess they show is so amazing that to ask them to be eloquent speakers as well is a bit much. We don’t have a go at great speakers because they can’t kick a ball, do we? But Bellerin is intelligent and a very funny bloke.

What was your finest moment when you played?

I honestly don’t have one, because I’m horrendous. When I was a teacher, they roped me into the annual sixth-formers vs staff game. I came on as a reluctant substitute at the end, then shinned an absolute sitter over the bar.

Let me tell you, I’ve never received so much abuse – not even at any of the gigs I’ve done since. It got so bad that I couldn’t enter the staff room or walk around school for a week. I self-isolated for my own good.

Which footballer do you admire that never played for your club?

I remember one game against Chelsea at Highbury, and I couldn’t believe – this is a compliment – how much of a prick Dennis Wise was. You’d never see it on TV, but he was constantly in our players’ ears, giving them all sorts of s**t on the wind-up. Wise was one of those hateful players you’d love to have in your team.

Do you have any matchday routines or superstitions?

My dad’s superstition was to make us go for fried chicken before every game. He swore it helped Arsenal win, but I should also tell you: he died of a heart attack... My only routine is to get to the stadium early, but the problem is it looks like I’m desperate for attention. ‘Look, Romesh has turned up early for some selfies, the absolute narcissist’. But it’s just my superstition. Honestly.

Which player would you pick as your room-mate?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. I’d give him the best night of his life and lay on so much entertainment, to convince him to stay. “You see mate, it wouldn’t be like this if you joined Real Madrid…”

What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen or heard at a match?

I was at Highbury, and an Arsenal fan got angry as I wasn’t singing enough. This was before I did any stand-up, so it wasn’t because he’d recognised me. But every time a new song started, he’d look around at me as if to say, ‘Well, are you going to f**king sing or not?’ It became very uncomfortable and I felt obliged to join in. I was singing like a hostage. You could see the quiet terror in my eyes as he growled, “Sing up you tart.”

Where’s the strangest place you’ve met a manager or player?

I was in Portugal with my wife and kids a few years ago, on holiday. We were all in the hotel restaurant, when suddenly Calum Chambers turned up and tapped me on the shoulder. I’d recorded a show with him in the past, so he knew me, but it was really weird seeing him there. He was with three of his mates and asked me if I knew anywhere decent to go out. I said, “You’re talking to a fat dad on his family holiday, so unless you’re keen on a kids’ quiz night or going on the flume rides, you’ve got this all wrong.” Mental.

Who’s the worst player you’ve seen at your club?

I’m not one for slagging off players, but Igors Stepanovs was truly awful. There was a 10-minute spell during his Arsenal career when I was definitely as good as him – that’s how awful he was.

Who would you play alongside in your fantasy five-a-side team?

I’d have Gianluigi Buffon in goal, simply because he looks so rock ‘n’ roll. Thierry Henry is up top, obviously. Ronaldinho is in there, because he’s the best YouTube compilation player of all time and seems like he’d be a laugh. I’m hardly a natural finisher, as my old school will testify, so I’ll stay at the back, shoring things up – or at least trying to – with Martin Keown.

He’s such a defensive monster that I’d either have absolutely nothing to do, or he’d be continually screaming at me. It could prove to be one of the most torrid afternoons of my life, but it would take some of the edge off that staff game at Hazelwick School.

Rob Beckett admits he should have been a Crystal Palace fan – but a love of Ian Wright rather skewed things.

Most recently, the comedian has been a star of The Traitors alongside friend Romesh Ranganathan as a member of the faithful.

But back in 2021, Beckett spoke to FourFourTwo exclusively about his life following the Gunners…

Rob Beckett: 'I’d do laughing gas with Grealish!'

What was the first game you ever attended?

Tottenham vs Arsenal in the early ’90s – it was 0-0 and there were loads of fights. We were south London – I should be a Palace fan, really. But I just loved Ian Wright, so I started watching Arsenal. I’m an Ian Wright fan first and an Arsenal fan second. I feel quite guilty – I mean, I did have a season ticket for a few years, but I feel semi-ashamed because I should be Palace or Millwall. I don’t get too upset about it like other fans either – give me 10 minutes after a defeat and I don’t care. You can’t get in trouble for switching to a worse team, can you?

Is Wrighty your favourite footballer ever, then?

Always! He was from near me in south London – he looked like he enjoyed it whenever he played; he was a bit dirty and would have a fight. He’d kick Peter Schmeichel and I loved all that – like when Martin Keown smacked Ruud van Nistelrooy on the head. I reckon I should have watched boxing instead really, because I hate it when people say that having a scrap in football is disrespectful and it’s such a shame – no, it’s f**king brilliant. I’d love for football to be a bit more like ice hockey: imagine how good it would be if Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira could just have a two-minute scrap and have it out properly.

Have you got to meet many of your footballing heroes?

Well, I got to meet Wrighty when I did a radio show, and I was crap because I was so nervous. Then I saw him in the street. He just shouted, “Oi, what’s happening?” and gave me a cuddle. I was like, ‘Oh my god, he knows who I am!’ Then I started working with him on Absolute Radio and it’s so weird: they say don’t meet your heroes, but it should be ‘don’t meet your heroes unless your hero is Ian Wright’. Definitely meet him – he’s more than you can ever imagine.

It was quite funny, because I’d start to get annoyed with him whenever he turned up late. I’d be sat there thinking, ‘For f**k’s sake, mate’. A few years ago, I’d have been desperate to meet him, and now I’m getting the hump because he’s turning up to work late. But he’s a lovely bloke. I was at a hotel with my wife once for our anniversary, and Wrighty was there with his wife. He sent us over a bottle of champagne when my wife didn’t actually get me anything that year. I got an anniversary present from Ian Wright instead of my wife...

Do you get to Arsenal much?

Nah, I had to give up my season ticket. Between having kids and touring, I very rarely go. I see those guys who sing “over land and sea” and think, ‘What the f**k’s happening in your home life?’ You know that lot?

It’s a waste of a life, I’ve got to be honest. I think you can be too committed as a fan – you really need a balance in your life.

What’s the greatest goal you’ve ever seen live?

I saw Aki Riihilahti score from about 35 yards for Palace, and was directly behind it. I must have been young, but I saw it bend – it wasn’t the best goal ever, but position-wise I couldn’t have been any better. It probably wasn’t even that good, but in my head it was unbelievable. It was the first proper long-range goal I’d seen!

What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen or heard at a game?

Lloyd Griffith [fellow comedian, once of these pages] dropping his phone into a toilet at half-time during the Euros final at Wembley. You know when something happens and you just explode?

Who’s the one footballer you’d love to take on a night out?

I bumped into Paul Robinson while on a massive bender in Edinburgh, when he played for Blackburn. He came out on the piss – I’m not sure if he’s calmed down, though. He just came to see my show up there. He once got smuggled into Arsenal for a meeting with Arsene Wenger apparently, but Wenger didn’t want him and signed Richard Wright instead. Great decision.

There’s Jimmy Bullard, too – he’s brilliant but he can be too much. So it just depends on how big this night out is going to be. But someone I’ve not been out with is Jack Grealish. I’d love to have a drink with him, because everyone loves Jack Grealish now, don’t they? Phil Foden is great too, and I love Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka, but they’re only kids. You need someone who’s had a bit of a life – you know, some headcase from the Championship. But no, I’d do laughing gas with Grealish.

Which player would you choose as your room-mate?

Someone really little, I’d imagine. Andrey Arshavin – really small, really quiet. Would probably rather be in Russia. The smallest player who’s ever played football, I’d say.

Which player do you like even though they never played for your club?

That’s two-fold. We could have had someone like [Didier] Drogba upfront with Thierry Henry. But do I want to weaken another team or just make Arsenal great? I’m overthinking this now! I think either Ronaldinho or fat Ronaldo. It’s awful that he’s just become ‘fat Ronaldo’ now, isn’t it?

Who from your club’s past would you bring back for the current side?

At their peak? In this team it has to be a centre-back or defensive midfielder, so if I could have a young Tony Adams coming through at 20 now, and you know you’re getting 15-20 years of him at the back, that would be great. I’d say either Adams or Patrick Vieira. We’re all right with our attackers at the moment, but we need a leader to help us out a bit.

Who’s your current favourite player?

I really like Smith Rowe. I think he’s brilliant – especially after the North London Derby [where he scored one, assisted one and won the man of the match award].

If you could drop yourself into your all-time five-a-side team, who would you be playing alongside?

I’ve got to go with David Seaman in goal. There may be better goalkeepers, but he’s so lovely – you’ve got to think about morale. I’d have Patrick Vieira in the middle. Thierry Henry upfront, of course. And then… f**k it, I’ll go Dennis Bergkamp as well. Just because then I’ll really enjoy it – I’ll just be playing with a load of club legends.

But then I’ve not got Ian Wright, have I? Right, get rid of Henry and stick Wrighty in there for the banter. I’ll just stay at the back with Dave…

Alex Scott has backed Millie Bright to become a football coach, believing the former England defender has learned from one of the best in the game.

Bright retired from international football in October 2025 before announcing her retirement from all football in April 2026.

The former Lionesses team-mates shared the pitch for England, including at Euro 2017, with Scott backing Bright as a coach of the future.

Scott backs Bright for coaching career

Alex Scott believes Millie Bright has the qualities to become a successful football coach following her retirement from playing.

Bright, who earned 88 caps for England, called time on her international career in October 2025 after missing Euro 2025, before announcing her retirement from all football in April 2026.

The former Chelsea defender was a key figure for club and country, helping the Lionesses win Euro 2022 and captaining England in Leah Williamson’s injury absense to the reach the final of the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Scott, who won 140 England caps during her own playing career, believes Bright has gained valuable experience from working under Emma Hayes at Chelsea.

"Do I think Millie would make a great coach? Absolutely," Scott said.

"She has been in a Chelsea environment and learnt under Emma Hayes, who is an incredible coach, with everything she's won at Chelsea and is now coaching the USA national team.

"So no doubt Emma has passed on a lot to Millie, so Millie would make a great coach."

Scott and Bright's England careers overlapped, with the pair both part of the national team's Euro 2017 tournament.

Scott highlights importance of role models

Scott was speaking after returning to her former secondary school, Langdon Park School in Tower Hamlets, where she surprised pupils and reflected on the people who helped shape her own journey in football.

The former England international joined a football training session with the students and highlighted the influence that teachers, coaches and positive role models can have on young people.

The visit also marked Scott's introduction as an ambassador for the Chase football coaching programme, which aims to shine a light on the positive impact coaches can have in communities across the UK.

Born in Rochdale and a product of Blackburn Rovers' academy, Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh admits that she still doesn't know London intimately well a year after making the move from Barcelona.

But the England midfielder has a new friend and a new rival to see the sights with following Alexia Putellas' own transfer to the capital this summer.

Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Putellas is now plying her trade at London City Lionesses, who are running Manchester City and Walsh's own Chelsea close at the top of the Women's Super League.

Walsh told FourFourTwo that her former Barca teammate was in contact before her surprise move, saying: "She messaged me a little bit and then said, ‘Maybe I'll see you in London soon’ and I said, ‘I think you might do!’

"We’re actually going to meet for dinner from time to time, so it'll be nice to catch up.

"I can‘t show her the ropes of London yet as I still don’t know much about London myself!"

Chelsea and London Lionesses are set to meet on Sunday, December 13 in what already looks likely to be a top-of-the-table encounter.

But Walsh said: "I'm going to be facing her but she’s a friend, a really great team-mate and a good captain.

"First and foremost, I do want her to be successful. I want her to have a really good year here.

"She's a big name, so fans are going to be looking out for her, but she's definitely got the talent to back that up."

Walsh's own return to England last year, with Chelsea, was a boon for WSL - and she believes adding Putellas to the mix only raises the league's profile yet further.

Walsh said: "I hope she has an impact in the league. To see the likes of Alexia coming over and playing here, it shows where women's football is at in England.

"It’s really exciting to have one of the best, if not the best player in the world in our league.

The seismic impact of Manchester City’s guilty verdict on 114 of their 115 charges will reach as far and wide as arguably anything in football history, including the legacy of Pep Guardiola. 

The former Manchester City boss made his first return to the Etihad Stadium following his summer departure for their 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The timing of it was not lost on anyone. 

Regardless of whether or not City somehow get off on appeal or a technicality, the Catalan will be forever tainted and surely can’t allow this to be the final act of his managerial career. Amid the infinite questions surrounding the case, sanctions and everything else, one is: what’s next for Guardiola?

Manchester City's charges cloud Pep Guardiola's whole career

First will be the continued full support of City and everyone connected to the case. In the days after the news that rocked the game, he made it crystal clear where he stood on the issue and backed up by sitting behind the embattled and shamed duo of Khaldoon Al Mubarek and Ferran Soriano on Tuesday night. 

While that may seem incredibly hypocritical given he regularly said he would accept any verdict and once claimed, “If you lie to me, the day after I am not here. I will be out, and I will not be your friend any more”, it’s not difficult to see why Guardiola has taken this stance. 

If he were to admit to City’s guilt on committing industrial-level financial cheating from 2009 to 2018, he would be admitting that every single one of the 20 trophies won in his 10 years at the club – including six Premier League titles and a Champions League – were tainted, tarnished and totally irrelevant. 

Given he spent three more years at City than he did at Barcelona and Bayern Munich combined, it would be effectively erasing close to 60 per cent of his time on the touchline regardless of the obvious brilliance of both his coaching and his teams. 

And that’s before we even get started on what might come from the ongoing Negreira case centring on payments from Barça to the former vice president of Spain's Technical Committee of Referees. Safe to say, it’s been an autumn of discontent for Guardiola. 

It’s unlikely to get any better for him in the winter months as the appeal plays out, with City’s chances of a reprieve looking slim at the absolute best. He’s already set for a year out of the game, having turned down the Italy national team job citing rest and personal reasons. 

At 55, he should theoretically have plenty of years left on the touchline, and for a complete football obsessive, what else would he do in the decades to come?

Guardiola has never managed a small club or one with limited resources, which is often held against him when compared to his three greatest career rivals, Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp. 

All three near-built clubs from the ground up, restored them to their former glories and won the biggest prizes in the game without the biggest budgets. It’s a somewhat harsh appraisal of Guardiola given he started with Barça and quickly became the most in-demand manager on the globe. Los Cules may have won the Champions League just two years prior to his arrival but the transformation was remarkable. 

There’s also the irony that any idea of Guardiola doing that now is near-impossible, more than a little bit in part due to the state ownership of City and PSG and everything that comes with that. The game is completely distorted with a European Super League of finances long in place. 

Serie A’s demise has come alongside that, presenting potential landing spots for Pep. His European playing career did end in Italy – not without its own scandal – so he clearly has an affinity for the peninsula. Entertaining the Azzurri job spoke further to that. 

The great task there is restoring either Juventus or Milan to the top table. Both clubs, fittingly, are full of drama, so would suit Guardiola’s ongoing arc. There’s been no Italian Champions League winner since Mourinho with Inter Milan in 2010 and Juve have lost five finals since last lifting the trophy 30 years ago. Talk about a career mode challenge.

A return to Barcelona can never be ruled out, while making Manchester United great again would be the perfect next bizarre storyline for the ever-developing Premier League soap opera. 

We can rule out the Spanish job on account of their ongoing dominance and possibly his own Catalan ties. Brazil and England are the two biggest jobs and tasks, and Guardiola has been linked to both jobs. It would require either Carlo Ancelotti stepping down or Thomas Tuchel failing to win the Euros in 2028. Neither is too far-fetched. 

Whatever may come for City in the coming weeks, months and years, it will always be attached to Guardiola no matter the level of his greatness. What comes for him may be the sport’s next big plotline. 

Michael Carrick brought a veneer of calm to Old Trafford last season, but that has disintegrated in rapid fashion this season.

His tenure as permanent Manchester United boss is being defined by an unruly, factional dressing room coming apart at the seams.

Tuesday night’s dispiriting Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid has extended the team's winless run to five matches, and sparked a civil war.

Michael Carrick is unlikely to inspire his Manchester United players to victory

Man United are floundering - what else can be said about a paltry return of two wins from nine matches in all competitions, an early Carabao Cup exit, six points from their opening six Premier League fixtures, and inability to capitalise against ten men in games versus Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur?

They are, for all intents and purposes, a team devoid of competitive edge. And on-pitch disjointedness is only half the problem. The deeper issue is cultural.

Argentine international Lisandro Martinez broke rank in the aftermath of Man United's defeat at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday night, delivering a scathing public broadside against director of football Jason Wilcox and the club’s transfer strategy.

In doing so, he extinguished any lingering hope that squad unity was something Carrick could stand behind as a success during his brief spell. The defender was reportedly confronted by a teammate during the flight back to Manchester.

Navigating such turmoil demands a managerial giant, and it is not Carrick's doing or fault that the club finds itself in its current mess. He is, for all his understated dignity, manifestly not that man.

The former midfielder is neither an inspiring orator capable of galvanising disparate egos with his rhetoric, nor is he a Sir Alex Ferguson-esque autocrat who can lay down the law - he hasn't been there long enough, for starters.

Carrick’s once-praised stillness now appears passive and faced with a fractured dressing room taking pot shots at the boardroom, a gentle word is insufficient. Perhaps it speaks to Carrick's authority that Martinez felt compelled to speak out in such terms in midweek.

Carrick’s brief has completely changed, but his managerial toolkit has not. When he took the reins as caretaker in January following Ruben Amorim’s acrimonious departure, the remit was predominantly pastoral.

These were hugely talented players lacking confidence and drive, who had been tactically micro-managed to the point where many no longer cared. Carrick let them play, recalled certain players and allowed them the time and space to do what they do best.

He soothed bruised egos, simplified the instructions and put an arm around the wounded. Lo and behold, it yielded that most famous of textbook interim bounces, and he steered the club to a third-place finish. The pressure was off, the season had already been mothballed. With the benefit of hindsight, the hierarchy's message to Carrick over the summer should have been a firm handshake and 'thank you for your efforts, but we'll take it from here', before hiring a managerial heavyweight.

Now, though, he's the permanent man, albeit probably not for much longer.

The honeymoon is long over, and the pressure cooker has been turned up to eleven. Managing Manchester United through stormy weather requires ruthlessness, authority, ideological clarity, and the rare ability to inspire footballers to run through brick walls. That hasn't happened.

National reports are already detailing three-man shortlists to replace him, touting Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler alongside Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann. The writing is very much on the wall. Carrick may retain personal affections of the Old Trafford faithful, but goodwill does not heal a fractured culture. The dressing room has reached a point of no return, and Michael Carrick is not the man to glue it back together.

Harry Kane has had the greatest season of his career and deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or. After an exceptional year, the 33-year-old striker has every right to be honoured with the most prestigious individual award in football.

Whether it’s based on numbers, trophies, performances or standout achievements, Kane has reached new levels. He scored a staggering 73 goals for club and country in 2025-26. It’s a number some players can only dream of achieving in their whole career, let alone in a single season.

To do that in just 65 matches makes it even more incredible. The numbers almost sound unbelievable, they’re so outlandish. To put them into context, it is the most goals any player has scored in a single season in the modern era except for one occasion: when Lionel Messi hit 82 goals in 69 matches in 2011-12. The Argentine would pick up the Ballon d’Or that year.

Kane’s goalscoring feats helped Bayern Munich to the domestic treble, the first time the club have lifted three trophies in a campaign since he joined. To finish off an astonishing year, he then captained England to a bronze medal at the World Cup, which is the Three Lions’ best finish ever on foreign soil.

While other players may have won bigger team honours, when it comes to recognising an individual, there has been no player in better form than Kane. That is also outlined by him breaking a 49-year Bundesliga record this year, by reaching the 100-goal mark in just 98 matches – comfortably clear of the 129 games it took Dieter Muller to hit a century.

What Kane achieved in this last year is simply mind-blowing. Many questioned his decision to play in Germany, but it has been a pivotal move for his career. The 2023 switch has taken him to another level, as proven with the records broken and trophies won in Munich.

Kane is a natural finisher and his goalscoring is as good as we’ve ever seen. He’s a player that makes the most of every chance he gets and scores all types of goals from absolutely everywhere. He’s the type of striker that you just expect to score in every game, and the majority of the time he delivers. He’s prolific, but it’s also the quality of the goals that make him special.

On the biggest stage this summer, Kane scored a sensational goal against the Democratic Republic of the Congo – a lethal strike that helped save England’s World Cup. The combination of power, strength, accuracy and technique he showed in that moment are skills you see him applying in the Champions League and Bundesliga regularly. His ability to perform this consistently at the highest level is outstanding.

And it’s not just his ridiculous scoring numbers. His all-round play and ability to bring other players into the game has become even more evident recently, and why England manager Thomas Tuchel describes him as the “full package”.

Time and time again, Kane continues to write his name in the history books for both club and country, yet every single record he breaks, you never expect him to just stop there. You expect him to add to that goal tally and to reach a new height – despite that, he remains humble and driven to keep striving for more.

Kane’s journey is inspirational and embodies what hard work and determination can help you achieve. At the age of 19, he was struggling to make an impact on loan at Norwich and went on to a spell at Leicester, before a return to Spurs saw his career really begin to flourish. He is an example for any young player to aspire to, as he’s now remarkably hit his peak in his 30s.

Kane is a true global superstar of this sport who deserves every bit of praise that comes his way. He’s now adding to his trophy haul with every season, and the biggest individual award in world football should belong to him too.

Michael Owen was the last Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or, 25 years ago, so it’s about time another was honoured. It’s pretty cool that the best number nine on the planet right now is English. With the ceremony being held in London, Kane’s birthplace, on October 26, he couldn’t be a more fitting winner. I believe Harry Kane deserves to win the Ballon d’Or this year – he’s earned it.

Sir Kenny Dalglish has held Scotland’s appearance record for 48 years – next month though, he could finally lose the honour.

Dalglish finished his international career with 30 goals, equalling Denis Law for a record that still stands today, but surpassed Law’s previous national record of 56 caps in 1978.

The Celtic and Liverpool great eventually ended his international career eight years later with a total of 102 caps, but Spurs defender Andy Robertson reached 101 earlier this month, and could move to 103 when Scotland take on North Macedonia and Switzerland in the Nations League in November.

Record-breaker

For the new issue of FourFourTwo magazine, out this week, Dalglish sat down with us for a wide-ranging interview on his life and career. As part of it, he spoke about his days playing for the Scotland national team.

“To get one cap for your country was fantastic, and to score my first goal as well,” he said. “Denis Law was someone I looked up to as a boy, so to get to the number of goals he scored, I don’t mind sharing that record.”

Asked to pick out his favourite games from his international career, Dalglish said: “The first one would be the most memorable one, but maybe also Spain at Hampden, we beat them 3-1, and any time we played against England and beat them…”

Dalglish won his 100th cap against Romania at Hampden Park in 1986, and was presented with it before kick-off by the legendary Franz Beckenbauer. “I don’t know why, I never had any affiliation with Beckenbauer!” he joked. “He was a great player – I don’t know how it came about that he presented it, but he was very magnanimous and said some kind words.”

As for his thoughts on his appearance record being broken in the coming weeks, Dalglish had a cheeky message for Robertson, who he got to know well during the full-back’s days as a Liverpool player.

“He’s a good guy, and it’s not a problem if he does it,” Dalglish said. “But I think he should retire, and I’ve told him that!”

A certain vintage

During the hour-long interview for FourFourTwo, Dalglish also picked out five of the most significant years of his life, as part of Gordon & MacPhail’s Vintage Moments series.

In partnership with the legend, the whisky specialists have created 15 box sets of five ultra-rare single malt Scotch whiskies, distilled in years that correspond to Dalglish’s key life milestones – the year of his birth (1951), the year he joined Celtic and the club won the European Cup (1967), the year he married his wife Marina (1974), the year he joined Liverpool (1977) and the year he managed Blackburn to the Premier League title (1995).

“I got a phone call and was asked if there was any interest,” explains Dalglish, who had a personal tasting session earlier this year. “I thought, ‘Well, it’s always nice to be remembered, isn’t it?’ For me, the important thing was what it was all about – dates that are synonymous with the life that you’ve led. They weren’t looking for any scandal, just your thoughts on what has happened. What did you enjoy?”

Dalglish won a staggering 29 major trophies during his time in football, and lifted at least one in 19 different years, so narrowing the most significant years of his life to just five was challenging.

“It was difficult to leave some of them out,” he admitted. “There are a lot of things you don’t realise until you start talking about it, then you go, ‘Hold on a minute, what about this year? What about that one?’”

Gordon & MacPhail are curators of the oldest, rarest single malt Scotch whiskies, and the only company in the world to possess single malts of every vintage from 1948 to the present day.

The limited edition box sets of Sir Kenny Dalglish’s Vintage Moments by Gordon & MacPhail are available for £100,000, which includes the opportunity to meet Dalglish in November. For more info, see gordonandmacphail.com or email vintagemoments@gordonandmacphail.com.

You can read the full wide-ranging interview with Dalglish about his life and career in football in the new issue of FourFourTwo magazine, out this week.

Jonjo Shelvey says he was given a get out of jail free card when he joined Newcastle United - but turned it down.

The former Liverpool midfielder made the move from Swansea City back in January 2015, just a couple of days after getting into an altercation with a Swans fan during an FA Cup defeat to Oxford.

Newcastle were not in a good way at the time, with Steve McClaren struggling to get the side into form and Rafa Benitez ending the season with an undefeated streak that was too little, too late to save them from the drop.

Shelvey told FourFourTwo: "The night before that Oxford game, I knew the deal had been done and I was going to Newcastle.

"I drove up there and never looked back. I was so excited."

Shelvey ended up spending eight years at Newcastle, making over 200 appearances for the club.

Along the way, Shelvey helped the club earn promotion back from the Championship and helped them to re-establish themselves in the Premier League - just like he had hoped.

"Me and Andros Townsend joined in the January window, and they gave me the option to add a relegation clause in my contract so I could leave.

"But I didn’t want that. I was there for the long haul.

"I’d always loved playing at St James’ Park, so I was going there to stay.

"The club paid a lot of money for me, so I felt it was my responsibility to get them back in the Premier League.

"It was the right decision, and I really enjoyed my season in the Championship.

"I loved living in Newcastle and we settled there as a family."

Michael Owen's long-standing interest in horses is well-known.

The one-time Ballon d'Or winner has enjoyed his share of success as an owner.

But Owen does have one single experience of going out on the track as a jockey - and actually, it went pretty well.

Owen came second in the seven-furlong race at Ascot, which was in aid of the Prince's Countryside Trust.

But the former England international is now more than happy to leave it to his daughter Gemma when it comes to getting into the saddle.

Owen said: "That was incredible - I had two months to lose two stone and learn a new discipline!

"It was pretty mad, but I loved it, although amazingly I haven’t sat on a horse since.

"It was an unbelievable experience and I can totally get why Gemma’s got the bug for race riding.

"This next step is a serious step – she’ll be in with quality jockeys and it’s the real thing.

"She’ll be riding at York and Chester, loads of nice tracks.

"They do 30-odd races a year so if she really wanted to, she could be riding virtually once a week.

"It would be thrilling for the family to go to watch her and see her improve.

"I know what she’s like – she says she wants to win a race, but there’s a series for amateur jockeys and she’ll have her eyes on the bloody championship, then it will be the next thing!"

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has delivered an explosive post-match interview after yet another defeat with the Red Devils to Atletico Madrid

Michael Carrick's side lost 2-0 at the Metropolitano, and Martinez – criticised at the weekend for his part in a late Dominic Solanke equaliser – came out to face the music at full-time, and delivered an honest assessment of Manchester United's form at the start of this season.

The Argentine didn't hold back either, with a last of investment and, in particular, technical director Jason Wilcox, referenced by the centre-back as reasons for the club's stagnation on the pitch.

Real Madrid want to sign David Raya from Arsenal

Gabriel Clarke: Lisandro, a tough result. First of all, how do you sum up the performance?

Lisandro Martinez: Really, really poor. I have to control myself a lot. But it's a reflection, a mirror of how our club is. Fantastic season last season. We expect more from, from the top, from us. The players to compete, because many teams [have them]. And today, also, Atletico, they have an amazing team. And they deserve to win today.

GC: So this is not a Champions League-quality squad, Manchester United?

LM: I expect more, honestly. I expect more.

GC: But what you're saying is you expected more investment in the squad in the summer?

LM: Yeah, 100 per cent. [I] expect more from our technical director; I have to be honest, you know. And also, as the players, we have to do more. But it's just important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night…

GC: In which areas? In defence, in attack? Because obviously there was money invested in midfield.

LM: In general. In general. I think last season we did everything; we created the base to build an amazing team and to prove something, you know? Yeah, it's annoying, disappointing, to come here and not see my team trying to get an amazing result; it's disappointing.

GC: The manager, of course, gets a lot of the criticism. Is the problem the manager wasn't backed enough in the summer in terms of investment?

LM: I don't think so. I don't think so. He does his best. But every season is different. You can't stay with what you did last season? The [opposition] knows you, knows how you play. The teams know every detail, you know, and if you don't change, next season… it's a big problem.

GC: Often in this situation, it's the manager who is the one who is removed. You can't necessarily go…

LM: You start changing, changing, changing manager, but what about other areas? I can't, I can't say more.

GC: No, we, we appreciate you being so frank tonight. Of course, it's two wins from nine...

LM: ...Because also tonight, it's easy to say the coach, it's easy to say the players, but also we have to see others, other areas.

Thomas Frank could be about to make his grand return to management – and damage goodwill at Brentford.

The Dane took the Bees to the promised land in lockdown, winning promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs in 2021, with the club remaining in the top tier ever since.

Frank left the Gtech in 2025 for a new challenge in the capital, swapping Brentford for Tottenham Hotspur in a disastrous few months leading the Lilywhites towards a relegation battle – but now, he appears to be close to a new job.

Thomas Frank is the leading contender to manage Brentford's local rivals… Fulham

With no win in their first six fixtures Fulham are enduring a torrid start to the new season under Alvaro Arbeloa, with this weekend marking a new nadir for the Spaniard.

The Whites managed to surrender all three points on the road to Ipswich Town from a winning position that they held until the 88th minute, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table below Spurs.

According to talkSPORT, Fulham have identified Frank to take over – with Arbeloa answering a question over the weekend relating to the pressures of his job with a quip that has only riled Craven Cottage goers further.

“Maybe you don’t know me but I played for the best team in world: I have coached the best team in the world,” he said, referring to two stints at Real Madrid as a player and 28 matches in charge of Los Blancos last term following the sacking of Xabi Alonso.

Frank has been out of work following his exit from Tottenham last season, aside from appearing as a pundit on the BBC's coverage of the World Cup over the summer – but should he make the move Thames-side, he may well burn bridges further closer to Kew.

The 53-year-old is regarded by Brentford fans as a legend, but with the club sharing a rivalry with Fulham, that status may be tested.

In recent seasons, there haven't been many players who have turned out for both West London outfits, with Fabio Carvalho the standout example of a Cottagers academy product who lost the adoration of the club that developed him after signing for Frank.

Reiss Nelson was the last player to represent both clubs, playing for the Bees on loan last season after a season under Marco Silva on loan at Fulham in 2024.

Fulham face their second of three promoted teams in a row this weekend, as Premier League action continues with Craven Cottage welcoming high-flying Hull City to the banks of the Thames.

Jamie Carragher has found himself at the centre of an online storm after previous comments of his about sporting integrity have resurfaced in the wake of Manchester City’s Premier League rule-breaking.

Following the historic verdict by an independent commission that found Manchester City guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial regulations across a nine-season period, Carragher emerged as one of the club's fiercest critics.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender questioned the legitimacy of City's decade of domestic dominance.

Awkward Jamie Carragher podcast clip resurfaces

"I do think Manchester City's titles they've won in this time, or trophies, should be taken off their list," Carragher declared during his analysis on Sky Sports. "What Manchester City have done is, they've not just hurt their own players in terms of no one looks at their trophies and medals now in the same way...

"I've been very lucky to win a few medals. I never look at the medal years later. But my mind goes back to a moment, I get a feeling in my stomach. I remember the referee blowing a final whistle of a big game. Those players will never get that feeling and it was robbed by Manchester City. That's what they haven't got. I don't think any player will care if you go and give them a medal, and he puts it in the house, in his trophy room, he'll never look at it."

The pundit lamented the collateral damage for top stars, suggesting their title-winning legacy has been unfairly tainted because the club broke spending regulations.

However, football supporters have pointed out a stark contrast between Carragher’s current stance and a previous confession. During an interview on Steven Bartlett’s The Diary of a CEO podcast in 2022, Carragher discussed his competitive nature and reflected on his obsession with finishing on the winning side.

Carragher offered an unapologetically candid admission, revealing that he would rather "cheat and win than not win."

"I'd rather cheat and win, than not win - and I don't think I'll ever be any different.

"That's why I think football has taken me to places in my life that almost brings a tear to my eye," the Liverpool legend said in a clip which is currently doing the rounds on social media.

The resurfaced clip has circulated rapidly, highlighting the difference between his current position and the win-at-all-costs mentality he held as a player.

While his podcast remarks were not directly in reference to Manchester City's charges, and more geared towards the mindset often found in dressing rooms, the two conflicting perspectives sit uncomfortably alongside each other.

Carragher clarified his previous comments, stating: "I’m talking more about Luis Garcia’s ghost goal than 900M in fake sponsorship!"

Eddie Howe has rejected the chance to return to football with a Champions League club.

The 48-year-old arrived at Newcastle United as the first manager hired by the club's new Saudi Arabian ownership, and took the Magpies from a relegation battle midway through his first campaign to the Champions League at the end of his first full season.

Having lifted the Carabao Cup in 2025 – ending Newcastle's 56-year wait for a trophy and becoming the first English manager to win a major honour in 17 years – Howe side struggled, however, last term, with the Toon boss departing after five years at the helm.

Eddie Howe has turned down a major approach

FourFourTwo understands that Howe's departure from Newcastle was far from a snap decision, with the former defender considering his exit at times last season.

With the likes of Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali all sold for big profit over the summer – with Tyneside mainstays Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Nick Pope also phased out – Howe decided to walk of his own accord, paving the way for Matthias Jaissle to oversee the transition.

According to TEAMtalk, Lens in Ligue 1 have since approached Howe over taking the job at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

After taking Le Sang et Or to second in the table last term – and a place in the Champions League league phase – manager Pierre Sage departed to replace Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace.

TEAMtalk's report states that prior to owner and president Joseph Oughourlian hiring interim boss Yannick Cahuzac to take the Lens job on a permanent basis, Howe was approached to see if he was interested in returning to football – which he wasn't.

The former Bournemouth boss is back on the south coast after five years in the northeast, enjoying time with his family in a similar sabbatical to the one he took after parting ways at the Vitality Stadium.

Howe's second spell in Dorset saw him take the club he represented from the third tier to the Premier League in just three-and-a-half years – and after an eight-year stint culminated in a final-day relegation in lockdown of 2020, Howe stepped aside for assistant Jason Tindall to take charge in the Championship.

The Amersham-born gaffer spent almost a year and a half out of football, travelling around Europe to watch other coaches – including future Dean Court successor, Andoni Iraola – and when he returned to the game with Newcastle, he appeared to have switched tactically from his trusted 4-4-2 to a more modern 4-3-3.

Howe is still a legend on the south coast, having taken charge of the Cherries in 2008, saving the club from almost certain doom after they were deducted 17 points in League Two when he guided them to safety from relegation, before earning promotion to League One in his first tenure in charge of the club.

A wounded Newcastle will look to bounce back from a 4-1 defeat last night to Coventry City, when they host Aston Villa at St. James' Park this weekend, as Premier League action continues.

Manchester United are in talks with Antonio Conte to take over as manager.

That's according to one report, with the Red Devils already planning beyond Michael Carrick, who took the club to third in the Premier League last season but has picked up only six points from the opening six games of this campaign.

Carrick only signed a permanent contract with Manchester United over the summer and oversaw a summer rebuild – but with the club already 12 points off the league summit, Antonio Conte is looming in the background.

Antonio Conte has teased his desire for the Manchester United job already

In an interview with The Athletic, Conte appeared to soft-launch his return to a big European club, hinting that he wanted his next job to be somewhere not “just to take part, but to compete”.

“There are many clubs that have, in some way, lost sight of their history,” the Italian said. “I would like to go to one of those clubs to dust off that history and make it shine again.

“Clubs where there is pressure, where, ultimately, you know very well that you are not going there just to take part, but to compete.”

Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb have followed up on reports that Conte is in talks with Manchester United, noting he is “reaching an agreement”, which suggests the two parties won't have trouble striking a deal.

Conte most recently took charge of Napoli in Serie A, delivering the Partenopei's fourth Scudetto, leaving a season later.

The Lecce-born coach hasn't managed a club for longer than two years since his silverware-laden spell in Turin with Juventus over a decade ago – but in the time since, he has been at two separate Premier League clubs with a degree of success at both.

In 2017, Conte became just the second manager to win a league title against Pep Guardiola when he lifted the Premier League with Chelsea, revolutionising English football at the time with his back three.

Conte left Chelsea in 2018 after lifting the FA Cup in a poorer second season but returned to English football three years later to take Tottenham Hotspur into the Champions League after arriving midseason.

In the interim, he lifted another Serie A title with Inter Milan.

United travel to Atletico Madrid tonight, as Champions League action returns this week.

Celtic are reportedly keen to lure Everton manager David Moyes back to Glasgow, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

The Scottish champions are said to have placed the 63-year-old on their radar as they prepare for a potential leadership transition at Parkhead.

While Martin O’Neill’s return to the Celtic dugout provided an experienced, steadying hand, the 74-year-old was never viewed as a long-term managerial fix. O’Neill’s second stint in Glasgow has always lacked long-term viability, and with the veteran coach acknowledging that a more permanent appointment is required, the Hoops board are actively assessing their succession plan.

David Moyes' final season at Everton?

Moyes has reportedly emerged as a candidate largely due to the sudden change of circumstances on Merseyside.

Toffees owners The Friedkin Group have put Everton up for sale, seeking a full withdrawal less than two years after completing their takeover.

Speaking last week, Moyes was candid about his frustration with the American consortium's retreat.

"Yeah, I was surprised, they only came in a year and a half ago," Moyes said. "Most owners come in for a lot longer than that.

"We were all expecting them to be here for 20 to 30 years, however long it may be. But maybe the way things worked out over the transfer window, I probably had seen through it a little bit before that."

Having already endured a punishing summer transfer period in which the Toffees finished the window with the Premier League's leanest squad, selling off key players late in the day, the prospect of navigating a protracted takeover battle holds little appeal at this stage of Moyes' career.

Boardroom churn theoretically makes a return to Glasgow more enticing. Moyes has deep roots at Celtic Park, having come through the club's ranks as a young defender between 1980 and 1983, earning a Scottish Premier Division winner's medal under Billy McNeill. Despite over two decades managing at the top level in England, Moyes has never managed a club in his native Scotland.

Celtic could provide Moyes with a realistic chance of winning consistent silverware during his twilight managerial days.

While a successful season on Merseyside currently amounts to mid-table stability, Celtic guarantee title challenges, cup runs and European football.

At 63, stepping away from Premier League firefighting to lift trophies at his boyhood club might prove an offer impossible to refuse.

Barry Hearn has revealed his regrets about leaving Leyton Orient following their play-off final defeat in 2014...and in particular, what happened to the club immediately following his departure.

The former Orient chairman took over the club in 1995 and had to endure two unsuccessful League Two play-off finals in 11 seasons before the club finally got themselves into the third tier through automatic promotion.

But it only took one League One play-off final, in 2014, for Hearn to decide to call time on his time in charge.

Leyton Orient were two goals up at half time, but Alex Revell's quickfire brace restored parity on the hour before Rotherham went on to triumph in a penalty shootout.

Hearn told FourFourTwo: "Jesus, I’m still having therapy about that day. Not only did it crush the entire fanbase, but it cost me a fortune!”

Hearn sold his 90% sure in Orient within the next few months following a conversation with his family around the dinner table

“I said to them all ‘Look, I’ve had an offer, it’s acceptable, I’ve had 19 years of grief and now I want to know what you lot think’,” Hearn recalled

“[Son] Eddie went first. He said ‘You know what, dad? It costs us a bit of money, but there’s nothing quite like driving home from an away game when you’ve had a win, let’s keep it’.

"Then my daughter goes ‘Dad, we all love you, but don’t die leaving this club round our neck’.

"Lastly, I looked at my wife. As in any working-class family, she’s the one that really makes the decisions. She just glanced up from her dinner plate and said ‘Get rid’. And that was it.”

The club subsequently plummeted into non-league under new owner Francesco Becchetti, who was himself gone from the club just three years later following a winding-up order against the club and protests against the Italian.

Hearn lamented: "I would never have sold if I’d thought that was going to happen. Hindsight is a wonderful advisor."

He nonetheless has largely good memories of his time in charge, saying: “I knew nothing whatsoever about football, but we still did so much good.

"We built three quarters of a new stadium without borrowing a penny. We thought outside the box. I got planning permission on a block of flats in each of the four corners that no-one used anyway, and it generated £8.5m.

"When I go up to heaven to organise their affairs properly, and my life is played back to me, some of my happiest memories will have been at Leyton Orient."

The Manchester City scandal has provoked debate over wider ownership issues in English football. Where once it was common for clubs to be controlled by a boyhood fan, that has become much rarer in an era of nation-states and American private equity. Only four of the Premier League’s 20 teams are led by people known to have grown up supporting them.

Two are Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace, the arch-rivals who will renew hostilities at the Amex Stadium on Sunday (the others are Manchester United, where Sir Jim Ratcliffe runs football operations despite owning just over a quarter of the club, and Brentford).

Tony Bloom has been the chairman and majority owner of his beloved Brighton since 2009, while Crystal Palace have been run by lifelong supporter Steve Parish since 2010. Parish remains responsible for day-to-day affairs at Selhurst Park despite having seen his stake diluted to around 10 percent in recent years.

"Brighton’s rise feels deliberately engineered, honed by algorithms and dispassionate decision-making"

Under Bloom and Parish, Brighton and Palace have enjoyed the most successful periods in their respective histories. There is no love lost between the two teams, whose unusual rivalry dates back to the 1970s.

Yet for all the hostility, Brighton and Palace have reason to admire what the other has achieved. Catch their fans at a quiet moment and you might even detect a flicker of envy.

Brighton have attracted admirers far and wide. Despite consistently losing some of their most important players, they have finished in the top half of the Premier League in four of the last five seasons.

In recent years Brighton have been forced to sell the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro and Carlos Baleba, yet they have continued to go from strength to strength. The club’s use of cutting-edge analytics has helped the Seagulls assemble the most eclectic squad in England. In a 5-0 thumping of Coventry City last month, they broke a Premier League record by fielding 15 outfielders of 15 different nationalities.

Brighton have not only replaced players without missing a beat, but managers too. Chelsea poached Graham Potter a few weeks into the 2022/23 season. No matter: in came Roberto De Zerbi, who took the team to sixth place, the club's best-ever finish. He left in 2024, and despite a rocky spell last term, Fabian Hurzeler has proved an able successor. You suspect Brighton already have a shortlist of contenders to replace the German should he leave.

If Brighton’s rise feels deliberately engineered, honed by advanced algorithms and dispassionate decision-making, Crystal Palace’s approach is a little more chaotic. Brighton have not sacked a manager mid-season since 2014; Palace have done so five times since then.

You are more likely to see deadline-day deals at Selhurst Park than at the Amex. While Brighton appeared to know exactly what they wanted when they appointed De Zerbi and Hurzeler, Palace cast a much wider net following Oliver Glasner’s summer exit. Pierre Sage ultimately got the nod, but Palace looked at Andoni Iraola, Frank Lampard and Thomas Frank - three quite different managers - before that.

Like their adversaries, Palace have unearthed some gems in the transfer market. They made profits on Ebere Eze, Michael Olise, Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz, all of whom made significant contributions in south London. Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Adam Wharton were excellent additions too.

However, all those signings were made when Dougie Freedman was sporting director. Since his move to Saudi Arabia in March 2025, Palace’s recruitment has been much more mixed. Whereas Brighton’s model kept delivering the goods even after Chelsea prised key staff away, Palace have struggled to replace the man who was the most important figure in their backroom operation. The systemic continuity Brighton have cultivated would be welcome at Selhurst Park.

Yet the lessons do not run in only one direction. Brighton have finished above Palace in four of the last five seasons, yet it is the Eagles who have claimed the more tangible rewards. Between May 2025 and May 2026, Palace won three trophies under Glasner: the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the Conference League. That was painful to witness for Brighton, who are yet to win major silverware. The Seagulls have the model, but the Eagles have the medals.

Back when Bloom and Parish were still new in their jobs, Brighton appeared to have more momentum behind them. They moved into the Amex in 2011, a year after Palace almost went out of business. Yet it was Palace who triumphed in the first ever meeting at Brighton’s new ground. In 2013, they won 2-0 at the Amex in the Championship play-offs on their way to promotion, a feat they achieved four years before Brighton. Palace have won three of the last four meetings between the pair, while Brighton have triumphed just twice in the last 14.

Palace have shown that you do not always need the neatest process to thrive. Sometimes, it is about seizing the moment. Brighton should bear that in mind as they target a trophy this season. And if Palace want to ensure the Glasner era was not a glorious one-off, they could do worse than study Brighton’s ability to sustain success over multiple managerial regimes.

For the first time in his Arsenal career, Bukayo Saka is being questioned – and certainly not over his ability or his commitment.

This is a player who set an Arsenal record for the most consecutive starts – notching 100 goals and assists in the top flight in his first 200 games for his boyhood club.

No one can criticise him – they're simply asking if it's all starting to catch up with him.

Has Bukayo Saka really lost his pace and explosiveness?

Saka was actually the sixth-youngest player to 200 games in the top flight – and excluding the superhuman endurance of James Milner and Gareth Barry, there are cautionary tales in the other three players ahead of the Hale End graduate. Wayne Rooney was essentially finished at the top level for his country after Euro 2016, aged 30 – and that was the age that Cesc Fabregas enjoyed his ‘twilight’ in the Premier League, winning the title in 2016/17. Raheem Sterling's latter days need no explanation.

The common conception is that Saka is next. If you listen to critics, he's lost a turn of pace and lost his ability to beat a man.

Take the game against Leeds United on Saturday, in which Saka's performance was boiled down to two moments. In the first half, in one particular duel against Ao Tanaka, the Japanese held his own – leading to criticism of Saka for not bursting past his opponent and doing something with the ball – while on the stroke of full-time, Saka had a one-on-one with James Trafford, only for Tarik Muharemovic to catch up, seemingly putting him off from slotting it home.

Statistically, it's a little more interesting. As per data from Gradient Sports, Saka is in the 99th percentile for tackle resistance in Europe. That means two things: firstly, he's a glaring target for the opposition (obviously). Secondly, he's better than anyone else in Europe at keeping possession despite that.

Only Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham have a higher tackle resistance score than Saka, meaning that the Arsenal man is top of the Premier League when it comes to protecting the ball, laying it off to someone else and recycling play. That certainly suggests that not only are full-backs getting tight to him, he's evading them somehow – as he did on every other occasion on Saturday, either to win a foul, clear the ball or recycle it.

And while from 2022/23 season to 2026/27, Saka's average top speed has dropped by 0.61km/h – he's actually running more. This season, Saka has made an average of 76.5 sprints per 90 minutes (that's runs reaching 20-25 km/h): compare that to the 66.7 per 90 in 2022/23, when Arsenal were playing a far higher tempo brand of football – or the 65.8 per 90 he managed at the World Cup during the summer.

Is it possible that his game has just… changed?

Arsenal have changed over time… but so has Saka

Saka looks a bit slower for a few reasons. Arsenal as a whole are a lot slower than they were when he first broke through: if he's not sprinting into space several times a game… well, that might be because there isn't much when teams sit deep and Arsenal don't break with much pace.

And then there are the injury issues. Saka had a serious hamstring tear a couple of years back – last season saw him battle with persistent knocks, with a school of thought forming that, like team-mate Declan Rice over the international break, he may just need a month or so off for his body to fully recover.

Yet Saka himself confirmed at the World Cup that he was fit and ready to go. He didn't miss the World Cup semi-final through anything other than a selection decision.

And perhaps this is the new normal for a little while. Saka has changed physically: he's a lot stronger than when he broke through, and instead of needing time on the sidelines to wait until he's the player he was five years ago, maybe instead he needs time on the pitch to adapt to the player he is today.

Ultimately, perhaps Saka was misprofiled by some fans from the start. While he was always quick, he was never a Madueke-type winger in his youth: his game has always been defined by his decision-making. From making his debut as a left-back, to filling in as a central midfielder in lockdown, he never reached the top level after growing physically, but taking on more responsibility. He never needed to grow a couple of inches taller: he just needed the ball to show what he could do.

That's why fans shouldn't worry. Statistically, Saka is doing everything right. His game will adapt over time as his body changes – but whatever his pace and power look like, he has the IQ to still affect games at an elite level.

Data via Gradient Sports

With time running out in the January 2024 transfer window, Brentford appeared to have pulled off a significant coup.

The Bees were closing in on the £25m signing of Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa, a highly-rated 18-year-old who had held talks with Tottenham Hotspur and attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, among others.

But the deal suddenly collapsed, reportedly over an issue with the teenager’s medical, and Nusa stayed in Belgium. As time goes on, the failed transfer looks more and more of a missed opportunity for the West London club.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Why Antonio Nusa will leave Premier League clubs rueing a missed opportunity

The following August, the Bees signed another 18-year-old winger called Gustavo Nunes. The £10m-plus fee and six-year contract showed what they thought of the former Gremio youngster, but injuries have restricted the Brazilian to just five first-team appearances. In his most recent outing, Nunes was hooked at half-time during Brentford Under 21s' 7-1 defeat at MK Dons in the EFL Trophy earlier this month.

A fortnight before Nunes joined Brentford, RB Leipzig signed Nusa for €21m (£18m) on a five-year deal. The Norwegian was already a full international with Champions League experience and his career has gone from strength to strength. Now 21, he has 34 Norway caps, impressed at this summer’s World Cup and is a key figure for one of the Bundesliga’s top teams - and that is just the start.

Brentford’s decision not to sign Nusa - and ultimately bring in Nunes instead - now seems like a bad call, although that is easy to say in hindsight. There is the cruel irony that they supposedly backed out of one deal due to issues with the medical, only for the player they recruited in that position to be plagued by injuries. It is also ironic that they rejected the ‘Norwegian Neymar’ to sign an actual Brazilian who has barely featured.

Nusa’s comparisons to the former Brazil No.10 aren’t just down to his flair, trickery and dribbling ability. He grew up watching YouTube videos of Neymar and tried to replicate his skills.

“My favourite [player] has to be Neymar,” he told FourFourTwo in March 2025. “I can’t mention a hundred guys I watched, but yeah, maybe he was the guy that I got my most inspiration and joy from.”

The vast majority of players dubbed the next Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo or whoever else fail to reach those heights, but Nusa has the potential to be world class. Despite primarily playing on the left wing he is equally effective on the right, which keeps defenders guessing over whether he will go inside or out, shoot or cross, stand a player up or go past them.

He has the tricks of a showboater, but the numbers to back it up. Nusa has registered 19 goal contributions (nine goals and 10 assists) in 34 appearances for Norway, including a brilliant curling strike against Ivory Coast in the last 32 of the World Cup.

The wide man has four goals and three assists across seven games for Leipzig this season, while he has completed the joint-most successful dribbles (15) in the Bundesliga, level with Michael Olise and almost twice as many as Luis Diaz. As wingers go, he is the full package.

Nusa has thrived since stepping out of Yan Diomande’s shadow at Leipzig, after his fellow winger moved to Real Madrid in August for a deal rising to £120m. If he continues to improve, there is no reason why he can’t command a similar fee in the coming years.

But this begs the question: why did none of those Premier League clubs mentioned earlier sign him when he was relatively cheap?

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs were linked with Nusa in summer 2023, when he had already scored in the Champions League for Brugge. The winger reportedly even rejected a move to Chelsea as he wanted to stay somewhere where he was guaranteed regular minutes, accelerating his development.

That is fair enough, but the fact that Nusa was set to leave for £25m in January 2024 suggests those clubs missed out on a bargain deal for a future superstar. They could have paid even less that summer, but Leipzig took the plunge.

The German club’s decision has certainly paid off. Any fears over Nusa’s fitness have not been realised, with the winger playing in 61 of a possible 73 Bundesliga games since his arrival.

This summer, Leipzig’s asking price for Nusa was reportedly €60m (£51m) - almost three times what they paid two years ago - amid links with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and Spurs. Even that could represent a bargain compared to what the winger may be worth in the future, but he stayed put.

Admittedly, Arsenal, Villa and Newcastle ended up signing young wingers for less money, bringing in Christos Tzolis, Ibrahim Mbaye and Bazoumana Toure respectively. But Spurs paid up to £85m for Savio, who scored two Premier League goals in two seasons at Manchester City. Nusa would have cost less and arguably has a higher ceiling than the Brazilian, potentially giving him a greater sell-on value.

The Scandinavian still has three years left on his Leipzig contract, which reportedly has no release clause - allowing the Bundesliga side to continue raising the asking price as his star rises.

Right now, that star is rising every week: Nusa built on his eye-catching domestic displays by impressing during the international break, sharing the spotlight with Norway’s two top dogs, Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.

The duo are among a host of Premier League players in Stale Solbakken’s squad. Nusa’s familiarity with them, and the high-tempo style favoured by Norway, would help him adapt quickly to England’s top flight.

It is surely only a matter of time until Nusa follows the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Josko Gvardiol and Dani Olmo in leaving Leipzig for one of Europe’s elite clubs. Whoever signs him will have a potential world-beater on their books - and leave several Premier League teams rueing a missed opportunity.

Everton ended the summer transfer window with Thierno Barry as their only recognised senior striker. It raised eyebrows, to say the least.

Relying on a young, developing forward as the focal point of a Premier League attack seemed like a bit of a high-wire act for a club that had had their fair share of run-ins with the Premier League plughole in recent seasons.

Understandably then, it might be jarring for Toffees fans to see Barry leading the entire division in big chances missed - but that's actually a really good sign.

Thierno Barry is a dark horse in the 2026/27 Golden Boot race

On paper, it's a pretty damning headline metric, all but confirming Barry is a raw centre-forward, not quite at the level of an elite Premier League striker yet.

Beneath the surface of that negative stat, though, is a compelling case for Evertonians to feel optimistic about their frontline.

The gap between Barry and the rest of the league is stark, that much is true. His 10 missed big chances is double that of the trailing pack, with Erling Haaland, Dan Ndoye, Igor Thiago, Gonzalo Garcia, and Bryan Mbeumo all sitting tied on five.

The gulf between elite and developing becomes clear, too. Haaland's shot conversion rate currently stands at 27.3% - exactly double Barry's 13.6%. That disparity highlights the dividing line between a world-class finisher in a dominant side and a young striker still finding his feet in the Premier League.

Context is everything, though, and to understand why Barry’s metric is actually quite encouraging, one only needs to look back at the precedent set by Manchester City’s talisman. Last season, Haaland missed 30 big chances in the Premier League - a full 10 clear of the second-placed player in the division.

Haaland’s numbers illustrated the following things about modern centre-forward play. First, even the most lethal finishers miss good opportunities with regularity. Finishing is a volatile skill, subject to myriad factors such as execution, and opposition goalkeeping. Second, and most importantly: you cannot miss a big chance unless you have the movement, anticipation, and physical presence to get into those positions in the first place.

For Everton, that second point is everything. A true nightmare scenario for a team playing with a solitary senior striker isn't a forward missing chances, it’s a striker who is invisible. Barry is not guilty of that, and being incapable of registering high-quality opportunities is the far greater crime.

Evertonians have backed him with their lungs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium; they're willing to be patient and hope he comes good. Only the aforementioned Haaland has accumulated more Expected Goals (xG) than Barry in the Premier League season, even if his finishing and goal tallies are doubly as good. Barry is making the runs, pulling defenders out of shape, and putting himself in positions to generate high-xG chances consistently. He's doing the hard part.

Eventually, regression to the mean will take over, which means Barry should begin finishing his big chances. Doing so at even an average conversion rate will greatly help Everton - who remain unbeaten after six games and have conceded the joint-fewest goals in the division.

The headline stat might look frustrating on the surface, but for Everton, Barry's high volume of misses is actually the clearest sign that goals are just around the corner.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has asked to be removed from Manchester City games, until their future is resolved.

Last month, an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of breaching financial rules in the Premier League over a nine-year period, with the club now at threat of a points deduction or worse.

With the Citizens returning after the international break to thump 10-man Liverpool 3-0, Neville had his say on the charges clouding City's future.

Gary Neville: I don't want to cover Manchester City

Manchester United legend and lifelong Red Devils fan Neville covered the game yesterday for Sky Sports alongside Peter Drury and Jamie Carragher in the commentary booth, as City extended their winning run at the start of the season to six games.

This is despite talk of the club facing heavy sanctions from the Premier League – with the question of whether this Big Six clash will even matter come the end of the season.

“This is the first Manchester City game that I have done today since the charges or guilty verdicts were handed out a few weeks ago,” Neville said after the game..

"We were just doing the podcast then and said if you could take me off Manchester City games moving forward for the next few months until the verdicts have been heard, I would be absolutely delighted.”

The former right-back – a one-club man at local rivals United – was keen to give praise to the players on the pitch, but noted that “just recognised” how bad a look City's emphatic result at Anfield was for the Premier League.

“To come and win at Anfield is really difficult, we should be eulogising over them without a but or any hesitation,” Neville continued, “But there is that thing in the back of your mind.”

“They have done a brilliant job here today. They have dominated the game in the last 20 minutes, from the red card onwards.

"At the end of the game, it is quite hard because you are imagining basically if these guilty verdicts are confirmed in January or February, then Manchester City are not going to be in the position they are in and there is going to be a huge cloud hanging over the whole league.

"Which is not good for the Premier League right now, and that is what I have just recognised today. Really bad for the Premier League, and it is going to continue for a few months."

City face Paris Saint-Germain as Champions League action returns this week.

Jonjo Shelvey was still a schoolboy when he made his Charlton Athletic debut in April 2008.

The midfielder was just 16 years and 59 days old when he came on against Barnsley in the Championship after it had been mathematically confirmed that the Addicks could no longer make it into the play-offs.

That gave Shelvey some bragging rights on the playground a couple of days later...but as he found out, his burgeoning career also came at a cost.

Shelvey told FourFourTwo: "I played in the game on the Saturday, we lost 3-0 away to Barnsley, then on the Monday I was walking around school very proud, giving it big licks!

"Charlton had [nothing left to play for], so they were giving youth a chance, and it was a great experience.

"I wasn’t overawed – I felt comfortable as I’d been training with the first-team squad since I was 14.

"Funnily enough, after the game I had to ask the manager Alan Pardew if I could still take a girl to that summer’s school prom, as I needed to let her know.

"He just laughed and said: 'Tell this girl you can’t make it sadly, as you’ll be on Charlton’s pre-season tour!'."

Shelvey also went on to become Charlton's youngest-ever goalscorer the following January, still aged just 16.

By the end of the 2009/10 season he was playing regularly enough in League One, and performing well enough, to land himself on Liverpool's radar.

Shelvey said: "The Charlton manager Phil Parkinson and the chief executive Richard Murray pulled me in for a chat, and they asked who my favourite player was. I told them it was Steven Gerrard. 'Well, you’ll be playing with him next season', they replied!

"Charlton had accepted a bid from Liverpool and it was all done. I signed in the May, when Charlton were in the play-offs, but I couldn’t play for them in case I got injured.

"I had to patiently wait for the start of the new season to play again, but me and my family were incredibly proud."

European nights under the floodlights have a habit of hitting harder than your usual run-of-the-mill domestic encounter.

For former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld, the 2019 Champions League semi-final against his old side Ajax certainly falls under that category.

Spurs arrived in Amsterdam on the back of a 1-0 defeat in the first leg and soon found themselves with a mountain to climb after shipping in another two goals before half-time.

Alderweireld on Spurs’ Ajax comeback

Goals from Donny van Beek and Matthijs de Ligt meant that Spurs were staring down the barrel going into the final quarter of the tie, and even Alderweireld doubted that this would be Tottenham’s night.

“We lost the first leg of the semi-final 1-0 at home, then were 2-0 down at half-time in Amsterdam,” he recalls to FourFourTwo.

“We needed to score three, and we weren’t playing well – I thought ‘I want to go home, this is not going to happen’.”

Tottenham came out of the half-time period needing an immediate response, with boss Mauricio Pochettino turning to striker Fernando Llorente as Spurs changed their approach, swapping intricate football for a more bruising style of play.

“Then Fernando Llorente came on and we played some power football with long balls, because we were a physically strong team,” says Alderweireld. This tactical shift put Spurs on the front foot and gave them a puncher’s chance of forcing a remarkable comeback.

“Lucas Moura scored the first, and the second,” Alderweireld adds. That left Spurs with 30 minutes to find a third, which would give them the advantage on away goals.

Time was almost up when Moura completed his hat-trick to vault Spurs into their first-ever Champions League final and complete one of the greatest comebacks in the competition’s history.

“When he got the third in the last minute, it was unbelievable,” the Belgian adds before admitting that the victory was somewhat bittersweet, given the nature of the opponents.

“To kill the dream of my former club was a strange feeling,” he admits. “They gave me my education and made me a pro, so I’ll always be grateful.

“But football is like that, and I was happy – I was going to a Champions League final.”

Alderweireld was speaking in association with BOYLE Sports 2 Goals Ahead

During his quarter-of-a-century career as a footballer, Tony Adams won a string of trophies, capained his country and has even seen himself immortalised with a statue outside of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

After hanging up his boots in 2002, the former centre-back saw his future as a manager, but he quickly discovered that success on the pitch does not necessarily translate to success off it.

One man who was quick to point this out to Adams was Jose Mourinho, whose managerial success came after he spent years studying the profession, with the Portuguese handing the former Gunners skipper a blunt assessment that has remained with him to this day.

Adams on Mourinho’s managerial lessons

Mourinho’s message to Adams was a simple one: being a world-class footballer does not automatically make you a world-class coach.

“He always called me Simon,” Adams somewhat bizarrely recalls to FourFourTwo. “He said ‘Simon, you’ve been a footballer for 25 years, I’ve been studying for 25 years, you’ve got a lot of catching up to do’.

“I thought ‘Yeah, he’s right’. I had to learn coaching, I had to learn management.”

Adams would soon take this advice on board when it came to his managerial career. While most would look at a manager’s CV and remember the clubs, Adams would rather remember the lessons.

“Holland, Spain, China, Azerbaijan – they all taught me something,” he continues before recalling what went down during his spell in charge of Azerbaijan Premier League side Gabala.

“In Azerbaijan, the owner said to me, ‘I want the best academy in Azerbaijan, I want the best facilities in the former Soviet Union, if we qualify for Europe that’ll be unbelievable’. I said ‘Well, you need an international airport’.”

While the owner laughed at this suggestion, Adams’ wider vision would soon be realised.

“He laughed too, but he built one. We laid seven top-grade grass pitches, the very best facilities.

“We brought Dutch coaches over because, for me, they were the best youth developers in Europe. We wanted to build something that would still be there years later – 85 per cent of the Azerbaijan national team now come through that academy.”

For Adams, that early lesson from Mourinho hit home, as he would quickly realise that being a great footballer was only the beginning of the journey to becoming a coach.

Adams’ book 1996: Reflections On The Year That Changed My Life is available now

During his 17 year playing career, Michael Owen broke a litany of records, lifted a host of major trophies and was crowned as the Ballon d’Or winner in 2001.

But now, more than a decade after hanging up his boots, the former Liverpool and England striker gets his kicks out of another sporting pursuit.

Owen’s Manor House Stables is a sprawling 170-acre racing operation, south of Chester, where he houses almost 150 racehorses. Among the famous owners are former England team-mates and Premier League stars, but for Owen, the real fascination lies in the horses themselves.

Owen on his Manor House Stables

“I could name them all – every owner, every mother and father, every racing record,” he tells FourFourTwo during a guided tour of the site. “I’m a geek.”

The horse in the swimming pool, he informs us, is called Box To Box – so named because it’s owned by Owen’s former BT Sport colleagues Steve McManaman, Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves and Andy Townsend. Not only did they work as pundits on the box, but they were also largely box-to-box midfielders. “He’s seven years old and he’s won six races,” Owen says of the animal.

The former Real Madrid man also shows us horses owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, Anthony Gordon and James Milner. “He’s the luckiest owner,” Owen jokes of the latter. “Every horse he buys turns into a superstar, and sells for a lot of money. He’s had six horses here – I think the most he’s paid for one is about £80,000, and the least he’s sold one for is £360,000.”

In a nod to his highest individual honour, another of Owen’s horses is called Balon d’Or, with Owen reserving that name for a thoroughbred with particular potential, although self-deprecatingly admits that, yes, he’s since realised he spelt the name wrong.

Owen believes he has put around £13million into the facility since he purchased the land at the age of 23 when he was still terrorising defences in a Liverpool shirt. Even then, he knew his love for horse racing was so strong that he knew what he wanted to do once his playing days were over.

What was originally a farm was converted into stables, which have grown and grown ever since, and are now among the best in the country. Owen employs around 50 staff, many of whom work here every day and train the horses – we see some of them being taken for a gallop by riders on an all-weather track.

He doesn’t actually own most of the animals, though – the business model sees him purchase them at auctions (he estimates he’ll spend £2m to £3m to buy around 40 in the next few weeks), then sell to people who come in as owners and pay a monthly training fee. Darts duo Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting also have a horse here called Bunting Mental, but not every owner is from the sporting world.

The costs of operating the facility are not small – Owen has made huge progress over the past two decades, but needs additional outside investment to achieve his ambitions of kicking on even further and becoming one of the most successful stables in the country.

With that in mind, as well as welcoming FourFourTwo, he recently allowed the cameras in for a six-part Amazon Prime Video documentary called Meet The Owens, made by the Whisper production company that was co-founded by ex-Formula 1 racer David Coulthard.

For Owen, his post-football life is every bit as ambitious as his playing career.

All six episodes of Meet the Owens are available now to stream on Amazon Prime Video

This afternoon, two clubs with a fierce rivalry will do battle against the backdrop of one of English football’s most shocking cases of cheating in recent memory.

One set of fans will relish the opportunity to remind their opponents that they are morally corrupt - perhaps in slightly different words - while the other will stand in defiance behind their club, despite their shattered reputation.

But this isn’t about Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City, who play their first game since they were found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. This is about Southampton’s derby against Portsmouth and one man in particular: Saints manager Tonda Eckert.

Tonda Eckert's Spygate ruling comes at the perfect time for Southampton

Clearly, the Spygate scandal that saw Southampton expelled from last season’s Championship play-offs is nowhere near the same level of severity as the case involving City, who continue to deny any wrongdoing and have appealed the verdict.

But the strength of feeling between the two sets of fans at St Mary’s today will certainly match - and probably exceed - the hostility at Anfield.

The South Coast derby comes four days after Eckert escaped serious punishment for his role in Spygate, following an FA hearing last month.

An independent commission handed the Saints manager a six-week ban from all football and football-related activity, suspended until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, as well as a £28,000 fine and a reprimand, after he admitted that he ‘directed and/or authorised the observation of training sessions’ of three Championship opponents - Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough - last season.

The Boro incident occurred 48 hours before the sides met in the first leg of their play-off semi-final in May, when Southampton intern Will Salt was caught filming Kim Hellberg’s team and the story quickly became headline news.

Having beaten Middlesbrough over two legs, Saints were then expelled from the play-offs by the EFL and received a four-point deduction that came into effect this season. The club were denied a play-off final against Hull City and the potential £200m windfall that comes with promotion to the Premier League, but the strong punishment sent a clear message: spying on opponents is not worth the risk.

Everyone at Southampton, including players and fans, paid for the actions of a few members of staff. Eckert also suffered considerable reputational damage, but it seems inexplicable that the man who took ultimate responsibility for Spygate will not miss a single game considering that managers receive touchline bans for back-chatting to referees.

The 33-year-old was described as an “exceptionally impressive” witness by the independent commission and expressed “genuine contrition” for his actions. That may be true, but it doesn’t absolve him of blame.

The independent commission initially recommended a four-month ban from football, while the FA requested three months. But after applying various mitigations, including Eckert’s remorse, the impact on his career prospects and the knock-on effect for the club and the fans, it was reduced to this pathetic suspended sentence that he will ultimately never serve, as he will surely not make the same mistake again.

The verdict dilutes the message sent in May by the EFL, opening the door for managers to escape serious punishment in the event of another Spygate if they plead their case well. It also emboldens Southampton in their belief that they were harshly treated when they were kicked out of the play-offs.

That attitude was clear in the club’s statement responding to the verdict, in which owner Dragan Solak said: “The FA process has been a positive experience…the same cannot be said for the EFL process, and the way they have subsequently treated us is not something we will forget.”

Eight minutes after the statement was published, Saints posted a video on social media of Eckert celebrating with fans after a game, captioned “Just don’t think you understand” - lyrics from the terrace chant sung up and down the country. It felt unnecessarily triumphalist on the back of an embarrassing episode for the club.

In many ways, the verdict could not have come at a better time for Southampton. The South Coast derby is the biggest game of the two clubs’ respective seasons and Saints are aiming to end a winless league run against Portsmouth that stretches back to 2004.

The atmosphere will be highly-charged regardless, but it will go up another couple of notches when Eckert walks out of the tunnel and receives a hero’s welcome. Southampton fans would have feared the impact of the German being banned days before facing their arch-rivals, so his presence on the touchline will feel like a victory.

They now know they have one of the brightest young managers in the country leading them for the rest of this season, which not only brings obvious benefits on the pitch but also a psychological boost, as they would have feared months of uncertainty if Eckert was banned.

Similarly, do not be surprised if the siege mentality demonstrated in Solak’s statement lasts beyond this weekend. Southampton clearly believe they were unfairly denied their shot at promotion last season and many - but not all - supporters will feel the same way. It is not hard to imagine Saints framing this season’s bid to reach the Premier League as two fingers up to the EFL.

Southampton do not need any extra help in their promotion push. Eckert is a talented manager and has some of the best players in the league at his disposal, including Daniel Peretz, Leo Scienza and Cyle Larin.

They were strong favourites to win last season’s play-offs before the Spygate saga and would start this weekend fourth in the Championship without the points deduction. Even accounting for those lost points, Saints should finish comfortably inside the top eight and are likely to challenge for the top two.

Now, thanks to the failure to sufficiently punish Eckert, they have another edge in the promotion battle - and that feels wrong.