Chelsea frontrunners to sign "unique" talent, they’re "leading the race"

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is no stranger to spending big money in the transfer market and his next quest in the market has now been identified, according to reports.

Chelsea's transfer activity…

In the summer window, the Blues made a major splash in the market by bringing in exciting young faces such as Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Christopher Nkunku.

Chelsea summer signings

Axel Disasi (Monaco)

£38.5m

Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal)

£30.1m

Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)

£52m

Kendry Paez (Independiente del Valle)

£17.27m

Robert Sanchez (Brighton)

£25m

Moises Caicedo (Brighton)

£115m

Lesley Ugochukwu (Rennes)

£23.5m

Angelo Gabriel (Santos)

Undisclosed

Alex Matos (Norwich)

Undisclosed

Diego Moreira (Benfica)

Undisclosed

Ishe Samuels-Smith (Everton)

Undisclosed

Dujuan Richards (Phoenix All Stars Academy)

Undisclosed

Romeo Lavia (Southampton)

£58m

Deivid Washington (Santos)

£17.1m

Djordje Petrovic (New England Revolution)

£14m

Cole Palmer (Manchester City)

£42.5m

All fees courtesy of Sky Sports

With any bedding in process regarding new players, some fare better than others, which is reflected in the fact that Chelsea sit tenth in the Premier League table, having taken 16 points from their opening 12 fixtures.

Nevertheless, Argentinian coach Pochettino is keen to strengthen his side even further over the next window or two. Recent reports have suggested that Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen is on the radar at Stamford Bridge and the Nigeria international has indicated that he is open to a move to west London.

CaughtOffside report that Chelsea have also met with Brentford striker Ivan Toney's entourage as bringing a number nine into the building continues to be a pressing priority for Pochettino. Arsenal are also strong contenders to acquire the England international. Despite initial claims that Toney could leave Brentford for £80-100 million, the outlet signify that the 27-year-old could be available for as little as £55 million.

One Spanish publication has speculated that Barcelona winger Raphinha is another name in Chelsea's sights as the Blues aim to add more variety in the final third to help break down opposition backlines. Despite this, midfield is another area where Chelsea are plotting potential signings, and one report has now revealed that the Premier League giants have a significant advantage in the chase for a young star.

Chelsea lead Gabriel Moscardo race

Taking to social media platform X, Evening Standard football correspondent Nizaar Kinsella has issued an update regarding Chelsea's pursuit of Corinthians midfielder Gabriel Moscardo, claiming that the Blues are now "leading the race" for the 18-year-old, who is "one for the future".

Gabriel-moscardo-chelsea

In the attached report from the Evening Standard, it is claimed that it could cost interested suitors a fee in the region of £26 million to tempt Moscardo to seek a new challenge. Barcelona, Arsenal and Liverpool are also keen on the Brazil Under-23 international; however, Corinthians will not discuss his potential sale until after their presidential elections have concluded on November 25th.

Moscardo, who has been labelled "unique" by Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig, primarily operates as a defensive midfielder and has won 2.1 tackles per fixture alongside making 1.3 clearances and 1.1 interceptions per appearance in the Brazilian top-flight (Moscardo statistics – WhoScored).

In an already crowded midfield environment, Moscardo would be likely to fall under the umbrella of being another long-term project for Pochettino to develop at Stamford Bridge if he were to move to the English capital.

Derby County chiefs now assessing move for "great" Warne replacement

Derby County's fall from grace has been an agonising watch for those at the club who have seen the Rams go from play-off hopefuls in the Championship to League One stagnation. Off-field issues certainly haven't helped, but Paul Warne's time in charge has so far not been up to the standard of a club that is in desperate need of a return to England's second tier.

The manager may have bought himself some time with Derby's 4-0 thrashing of Northampton, but with the Midlands club still sitting outside the play-off places, another manager is reportedly being targeted to step in if needed.

Paul Warne's Derby record

Having spent over a year in charge at the club, Warne's Derby record looked on course to reflect well on the manager, but recent results have left his job at risk. As things stand, he has won 28 of his 62 games in charge, drawn 15 and lost 19. During his last five games, though, Derby have won three times and suffered defeats against Shrewsbury and Stevenage.

Derby are yet to act, but if they do then they reportedly have a plan in place and a manager in mind to replace Warne. According to Football Insider, Derby are interested in John Eustace to replace Warne, should they make the decision to sack their current boss.

The former Birmingham City manager recently left his old club in harsh fashion, as they opted to welcome Manchester United legend and ex-Derby boss Wayne Rooney, and could now get an instant chance to step into the technical area again. The Rams could also be boosted by the fact that Eustace played for the club as a player. As of right now, however, Warne remains in a job with a crucial few weeks ahead for Derby's decision makers.

John Eustace would be a "great appointment"

Birmingham boss John Eustace.

Eustace would be a solid option to turn to if Derby dismiss Warne. The former Birmingham boss took his old side from relegation fears to play-off hopefuls in the Championship, before his shock exit from the club. Birmingham's loss could be Derby's gain, however, as they look to work their way back to England's second tier this season.

Eustace has earned deserved praise in recent months, including from EFL pundit Gabriel Sutton, who posted on X: "John Eustace is 7+/10 on every attribute: man management, media & fan relations, developing a style, nurturing individuals, quality of coaching. Can lead a wafer-thin squad away from trouble, or with resources, build a side to challenge. Great appointment."

If Derby are to make the decision to sack Warne, then it will have to come sooner or later, given how in demand Eustace is likely to be in the coming months. With the festive fixtures coming thick and fast, too, those in the Midlands will be well aware of the need for a settling in period if they are to turn to a new manager with fresh ideas. It will now be all eyes on Warne and his side's next game against Crewe Alexandra.

Failure of leadership, Peever's position 'untenable'

A selection of what the media are saying following the release of the reviews into Australian cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Oct-2018Greg Baum, The AgeThe individual could only dissemble and squirm. Peever said he had taken responsibility, “voluntarily” commissioning two “independent” reports and transparently and fully releasing their contents and findings. As if he had any choice to order up the reports. As if they could credibly have been anything other than independent… And yet still presiding is the man who sat atop the previous dispensation, the one that neglected the spirit of cricket, for which he says he accepts full responsibility while everyone else cleans out their lockers and desks. Even if only as a figurehead, it is an uncomfortable position for him, incongruous in the eyes of the cricket world; in a word, untenable.Tracey Holmes, ABCCricket has become a commodity, a business, where only numbers matter, and the human element — ethics, morals and personal values — has diminished to the point of hardly being recognised. Cricket Australia did not deliberately set out to get to this position but, the Ethics Centre report suggests, it was a foreseeable consequence of the way the governing body has gone about making the success of the men’s team the measure of its reputational standing.

Patrick Smith, The AustralianPeever could not middle any delivery aimed at knowing why he is still in charge of the sport when even the most sympathetic interpretation of good governance would demand he step away. The review by The Ethics Centre identified what was essentially a cultural cesspool. Deaf to advice, irrational abhorrence to defeat, crass and offensive behaviour, barely a trace of respect between officials and players. Peever, as chairman, and others within Cricket Australia, had to accept responsibility because they failed hopelessly to show appropriate leadership.Gideon Haigh, The AustralianIn a corporate model, there are external agents, such as regulators, such as institutions, such as government. Chairs resign; boards reconstitute; executives get fired, and even have bonuses clawed back. At Jolimont, somehow, a small elite award themselves promotions, new terms, fat benefits, cheery farewells. Let’s not forget that the only reason we have been afforded this glimpse of the degree of cricket’s organisational dysfunction is because a vigilant cameraman spied a cricketer scratching a cricket ball; otherwise CA would still be stumbling along counting its millions, oblivious to the players’ discomfiture and the public’s discontent.

Sam Perry, The GuardianIt is a wicked problem for the governing body. Already under pressure from a sceptical public to enact concrete change following Dr Longstaff’s findings, any decision to uphold the player bans without requisite and tangible leadership accountability would smack of the precise double-standards they stand accused of in the culture review. Should their executive survival instinct remain strong, another route would be to reduce the bans applied to the trio, though it would infer poor original judgment. But it takes special mental gymnastics to at once reform a “win at all costs” attitude, and to simultaneously conclude that Smith and Warner deserve an early return. Australia will of course win more games with these two in the side.Robert Craddock, News CorpAdministrators can pound the pulpit as much as they like but the success of any renewed push for the spirit of cricket rests squarely on the shoulders of the players. Passion tends to be at its strongest at the start of projects. If player commitment is patchy now, how will it be when the battle starts? The most significant part of the review is Australia is now a prisoner of its own improved standards. The bar has been lifted. The standard has been set. Now, can anybody bat?

All-conditions Abbas confident of not fading away

Quite a few rare talents from Pakistan have disappeared after record-breaking starts. But Abbas is here to stay

Osman Samiuddin in Abu Dhabi17-Oct-2018

Mohammad Abbas exults after dismissing Aaron Finch•Getty Images

Pakistani fans breathe easy. Mohammad Abbas is confident he will not fall off the rails as so many promising Pakistani fast bowlers have before him. Abbas has made a record-breaking start to his Test career, but fans have been down this route before.In men such as Mohammad Zahid, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – to name but three – they have seen rare talents emerge, sizzle all too briefly and then, for various reasons, disappear or fade away.On Wednesday, Abbas completed a five-wicket haul in Abu Dhabi that was instrumental in dismantling Australia for 145. That included a 50th wicket in just his 10th Test, the joint second-fastest Pakistani to the mark. It also means that as his figures stand currently, he has the fourth-lowest bowling average (15.94) for bowlers with at least 50 Test wickets.He has taken wickets against all opponents and in all conditions so far, though his bowling this series, in conditions that don’t traditionally suit fast bowling, has been a revelation still.Better still, he comes across as a fairly straight-laced character.”I have played first-class cricket and a lot of things have happened before my eyes,” he said. “I suffered hardships in my life so my focus is on cricket and that has made me mature.”My focus is only to play cricket and focus on my fitness. I want to keep my feet on the ground. That has been my life. Right or wrong I know where to go.”A number of comparisons have already been thrown up, Asif lead among them, but also similar operators such as Vernon Philander. The South African had 63 wickets in his first ten Tests though they were played in South Africa, New Zealand and England – countries where bowlers will get reasonable assistance.By contrast, Abbas’ career has been a tour of fast bowling graveyards. Seven of his ten Tests have been in West Indies and the UAE. So far, that has not made a difference to his approach. Right lines, right lengths and whatever seam movement is on offer. Most impressively he has been able to extract movement even on this Abu Dhabi surface, to a degree rarely seen.”There are different conditions, different pitches, whatever you get you need to focus on your bowling,” he said. “I mould myself according to that. I see who is the opponent and then focus on my bowling positions.”He is on course to make this series one of the most successful ever for a pace bowler in Asia. His 12 Australian wickets have come at a cost of just 9.83 each, which leaves only Chaminda Vaas’ 2005 series against the West Indies ahead of him.That has drawn praise from his opponents who could be forgiven for preparing for spin before this series and not medium-pace.”The simplicity of his plan to just bowl at the stumps with nice straight fields, limit your scoring, that’s been his real strength,” Aaron Finch said. “He’s just very simple, very good, but nothing we can’t overcome in the second dig.”I think it’s nothing that [we] haven’t seen before. But I suppose just a little bit of seam there, particularly to new batters, is so important. I saw him coming wide on the crease to the left-handers, seaming it across them, then around the wicket, and that’s the most difficult ball to face, if someone’s angling them in at the stumps, and we know that he’s always there or thereabouts on the stumps, he doesn’t go over the stumps, he doesn’t miss them too often, so I think that does have its challenges.”

Sacked USA captain Khaleel slams management's unprofessionalism

Former USA captain Ibrahim Khaleel has laid stinging criticism on the USA team management after being dropped from the squad on Tuesday. He said officials had failed to mediate a simmering dispute between him and other senior players that boiled over while the team was in North Carolina during their recent championship run at the ICC World T20 Sub Regional Americas Qualifier.”I was probably blindsided,” Khaleel told ESPNcricinfo, reacting to his sacking which was communicated to him in a video conference on Monday by USA head coach Pubudu Dassanayake and USA Cricket project officer Wade Edwards. “I told them you should have given me the opportunity to sit with the players when you knew there was something going on. I should at least have that option of talking to players one-on-one, face-to-face.”This is not like a school team or a club team where you just sit in a different room and [I] sit in a different room. There’s always conflict and misunderstanding in teams. It was yours and Wade’s responsibility to call me and talk to me and figure this thing out or call the players also. Whoever has spoken to you about x, y and z things, you should have called them and be a mediator to solve this thing. That’s how a professional team behaves, to me at least. If they think this is professional to them, then I’m okay with it.”According to Khaleel, he was told by Dassanayake and Edwards that the main reason he was dropped – not just from the captaincy but entirely from the squad – was because of “personal issues with players”. It contradicted a USA Cricket press release that stated Khaleel was left out due to performance.When asked if he felt he merited a spot in the team based on his batting, Khaleel said his scoring output was “average” and that it had come up during his video conference with Dassanayake and Edwards, but that it was not the primary factor in his removal.Khaleel claimed he first sensed trouble after the team’s dramatic two-wicket win over Canada on September 25. While the team was celebrating after Steven Taylor hit 22 runs off the final over to clinch victory, Khaleel said the mood around the squad was different by the time everyone got back to the hotel.”Nobody told me anything but I could sense something was wrong,” Khaleel said. “I told coach I think there’s something going on but it’s better if you check and he said we’ll talk about it after the tournament.”Khaleel also said he was informed by officials this week that his decision to under bowl certain players caused him to lose support within the team, though he refused to name anyone when asked who had raised complaints against him.”In Canada vs USA, [Canada spinner] Saad [Bin Zafar] also didn’t get bowling,” Khaleel said. “He only bowled one over the whole match. It doesn’t mean Saad is a bad bowler. I probably feel because of that, things got aggravated.”As a captain, you have to take some hard decisions on the ground. You cannot be biased to anybody. So I did whatever was best for the team in my knowledge and if something wrong was happening on the field then we wouldn’t have been No. 1.”Khaleel was rested from the XI a day later when USA beat Belize to clinch first place, but said he was called to a meeting with Dassanayake, Edwards and team manager Kerk Higgins later at the team hotel, where he was first told of concerns raised by other senior players.”They said, ‘Somebody has to go because we cannot move forward like this,'” according to Khaleel. “‘This thing cannot go on like this if your captaincy is not effective on the ground.'”Just because a few players don’t bind into roles, how will that effect things on the ground? If you think this was happening for a long time, even if there were misunderstandings or conflict, we still got results.”ESPNcricinfo made multiple attempts to speak with Dassanayake, Edwards and chairman of selectors Ricardo Powell regarding Khaleel’s sacking but USA Cricket did not make anyone available for comment.

USMNT star Folarin Balogun opens up on Olympic 'dream' as he eyes Champions League place with Monaco

Monaco and USMNT forward Folarin Balogun dreams of representing his national team in the Olympic Games this year.

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  • Balogun revealed his Olympic dream
  • Looking forward to playing in maiden Copa America campaign
  • Wants to play in Champions League with Monaco
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The former Arsenal striker revealed that representing the United States men's national team at the Olympics has always been a dream for him and he hopes that AS Monaco will permit him to take part in the flagship competition which will be held in Paris at a time when European clubs generally conduct their pre-season training. He is also looking forward to making his maiden appearance in the upcoming Copa America in the US.

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  • WHAT FOLARIN BALOGUN SAID

    Speaking to exclusively, the US international said, "To represent my country in the Olympics is a dream for me. Obviously, I have never played in the Copa America and I am looking forward to this as well. I have to ask the club; the Olympics eats into the season a bit so I’m sure the club will let me know about this. For sure, it’s a dream and something that I want to do at some point in my career."

  • Getty Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The 22-year-old is yet to experience Champions League football, having spent the last three seasons at Arsenal. Right after the Gunners sealed a Champions League slot by finishing second in the Premier League last season, the player moved out of Emirates Stadium to join AS Monaco on a permanent transfer.

    When asked about his aspiration of competing at the highest level of European football, the striker added, "It is something that I’ve seen lots of my friends play in and they say that their feelings and the things they have experienced are unimaginable. I would love to be lining up before the game, and hearing that music. That’s the motivation to get it done this season."

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    WHAT NEXT FOR AS MONACO?

    AS Monaco are currently third in the Ligue 1, three points clear of Lille. With just seven matches to go in the current season, they will aim to finish among the top three teams and seal an automatic Champions League berth. They will be next seen in action against Rennes on Sunday in a league clash.

Rangers dealt injury blow as "leader" could now miss Aberdeen clash

Rangers return to Scottish Premiership action this weekend, but a worrying injury update has emerged ahead of the game, with an Ibrox "leader" potentially missing out.

Rangers injury news

The Gers have had a couple of weeks without a match, with the final international break of 2023 getting in the way of domestic proceedings, but they are back on the pitch this Sunday.

Philippe Clement's side make the trip to Aberdeen for another important game in the Scottish Premiership title race, with the prospect of dropped points disastrous up against a fairly relentless Celtic side who could be 11 points by the time the Gers kick off at Pittodrie.

Jack benched & £26k-p/w machine unleashed in Rangers predicted lineup vs Aberdeen

The Gers return to league action against Aberdeen on Sunday

ByRoss Kilvington Nov 25, 2023

There is plenty to be positive about at Ibrox at the moment given the impact that Clement has made since replacing Michael Beale as manager earlier in the campaign, but injury problems have proved to be frustrating.

Rangers have had to make do without a number of key players at different times this season, including Nicolas Raskin – and now a new potential blow has emerged over another important figure.

Rangers suffer Ryan Jack injury blow

Glasgow Rangers managerPhilippe Clement.

Taking to X on Saturday, Rangers podcast and news source Four Lads Had A Dream shared an injury update on several players following Clement's press conference, where the Belgian claimed that Ryan Jack could miss Rangers' trip to Aberdeen after picking up a knock, though he isn't definitely out.

"Out for Sunday – Nico Raskin, Ryan Jack doubtful (not out definitely yet), Kemar Roofe in light training but doing his own sessions Everyone else trained and is ready."

This is a hugely frustrating update regarding Jack, with the 31-year-old someone who has struggled to consistently stay fit throughout his career. The Rangers ace has often picked up injuries down the years, while given his age and the fact that he is out of contract at Ibrox at the end of this season, there has to be doubts over his long-term future at the club.

The hope is that the Scot overcomes his niggle and is available for selection against his former club, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he was ruled out before kick-off given his previous fitness woes.

Jack is someone who remains a key man when he is fully fit and firing, though. Steven Gerrard clearly rated him highly during his time as Rangers manager, labelling him a leader:

"Ryan deserves a lot of credit for how much he has improved and the work and application he has put in to try and improve the level of his game and his consistency. When we came in, we inherited a good player, without a doubt. Aberdeen had done a really good job with Ryan in terms of his development and giving him the opportunity to play at the top level. He obviously became a leader."

Regardless of whether Jack is in contention to start at Aberdeen, this is a game that Rangers simply have to win this weekend in order to keep up the pressure on Celtic and not allow them to get out of sight in the title battle.

Celtic eyeing move to sign exciting gem, club think he has big potential

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is ramping up his transfer activity ahead of the window opening in January and is now reportedly keen to sign a talented youngster to bolster his ranks.

Scottish Premiership return and January window…

Starting as they mean to go on in the Scottish Premiership, Celtic hold an eight-point advantage at the summit over arch-rivals Rangers, having taken 35 points from their opening 13 fixtures.

The Hoops have already scored 34 goals in league action this term, with six coming in their last fixture against Aberdeen, which will have set Rodgers' men up nicely for their return to Scottish top-flight action this weekend, where they take on Motherwell on Saturday. Heading into January, Celtic will also be likely to tinker with their squad as Irish boss Rodgers looks to add depth in key areas at Parkhead.

Bringing in a striker will be a key priority as Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu are in contention to be involved with their respective nations at the Asian Cup. Celtic have now reportedly made enquiries about the possibility of bringing Bologna striker Sydney van Hooijdonk to Glasgow's east end.

Outgoings will also be necessary to balance the load of what is a fairly bloated Celtic squad. The Scottish Sun report that Yuki Kobayashi is being courted by multiple J League clubs and could be allowed to leave the club on a loan basis in the January transfer window.

Kobayashi has fallen down the pecking order at Parkhead and is believed to be keen on a return to former club Vissel Kobe, with any potential departure unlikely to be blocked by Rodgers. Now, reports suggest that Celtic are eyeing a prodigious young talent to bolster their forward line ahead of the second portion of the campaign.

Celtic eye Luke Baartman

According to The Daily Record, Celtic are keen on Cape Town Spurs forward Luke Baartman and have sent representatives over to South Africa to watch the 17-year-old in action on several occasions, where they have clearly been left impressed.

Luke Baartman at Cape Town Spurs – all competitions (Transfermarkt)

Appearances

4

Goals

1

Assists

0

Rated highly in his homeland, Baartman isn't viewed as an immediate first-team regular by Rodgers and company; however, his potential has been noted by the Scottish giants, who may need to fend off competition from Leeds United and other English sides for his signature.

Celtic managerBrendanRodgers

The report also states that Celtic could look to utilise the South African market to bring in more new arrivals following their successful recruitment drives in Japan and South Korea.

Acquiring young players with the capacity to develop into sellable assets in the future has become a big part of Celtic's operational culture over the past few years; nevertheless, Baartman would be expected to join up with the Hoops' B team to continue his development, making him one for the future at Parkhead.

Moving closer to January, it will be intriguing to see if Celtic can get a deal over the line for the young forward, who could provide another option in the striking department over the coming years.

Alisha Lehmann sends out 'fun' message after hitting historic landmark in comfortable win for Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland

Aston Villa star Alisha Lehmann sent out a celebratory message after winning her 50th cap for Switzerland.

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Lehmann played for Switzerland Brought up half-century of appearancesVilla star twice on the winning side WHAT HAPPENED?

Lehmann won her 50th cap during the international break as Switzerland played Turkey and Azerbaijan, winning 3-1 and 4-0 respectively. Lehmann played in both games, although she didn't score, and has celebrated bringing up the milestone.

AdvertisementWHAT LEHMANN SAID

Lehmann wrote on Instagram: "Six points. 50 caps for my country. Fun with the girls."

THE GOSSIP

Lehmann has yet to score a goal for Villa this season, but remains a key member of the Swiss national team. They are currently top of qualification Group B1 for Euro 2025, although they are actually the hosts of the tournament, so are guaranteed of their place in the finals. Their participation in qualifying is linked to the Nations League, as the groups will determine placings ahad of the 2025 edition.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Lehmann will now return to her club duties. Villa face Chelsea on April 17, with the club currently in seventh-place in the Women's Super League.

Explained: How Man Utd can still qualify for Champions League by finishing sixth in Premier League after UEFA rule change

Manchester United can secure a Champions League spot even if they finish sixth in the Premier League, thanks to a rule change by UEFA.

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  • Man Utd are currently sixth in table
  • Could still qualify for UCL
  • West Ham to have a decisive say on United's future
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Under the leadership of manager Erik ten Hag, United find themselves trailing behind fifth-placed Aston Villa by 11 points, with only seven games left in the season. However, despite this seemingly insurmountable gap, there is still a pathway for the Red Devils to qualify for the next edition of the Champions League.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The UEFA co-efficient system has positioned England as one of the top two countries alongside Italy, paving the way for an additional Champions League place. While the top-four teams traditionally secure qualification for the Champions League, this rule change could see Tottenham or Aston Villa benefitting from it instead of Manchester United. Spurs are currently in fourth, ahead of Villa on goal difference, with 60 points and have a game in hand on United.

    Yet, there remains a slim chance for the Red Devils to clinch a Champions League spot even if they end up finishing in sixth – . This scenario hinges on West Ham United securing fifth place in the Premier League standings and winning the Europa League. Currently facing Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-finals, David Moyes' side have an opportunity to create a pathway for another English club to qualify for the Champions League if they go on to win the second-tier European competition.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    The significance of this lies in the UEFA rule that allocates Champions League spots based on domestic league finishes rather than European competition winners. Therefore, if West Ham achieve success in the Europa League, it would open up an additional Champions League spot for an English club, irrespective of their league position.

    In theory, a seventh-place finish in the Premier League could lead to Champions League football if both the winners of the Champions League and Europa League are English clubs that finish outside the top four in the league. However, with Manchester City and Arsenal currently vying for the English domestic crown, this scenario is improbable for the current season.

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    WHAT NEXT?

    With multiple variables at play and the potential for major upsets, the race for Champions League spots promises to be gripping until the very end. Moreover, the prospect of as many as 11 English teams qualifying for European competitions highlights the strength and competitiveness of the Premier League on the continental stage. However, such an outcome would require a remarkable series of performances from English clubs across the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League, along with significant fluctuations in the Premier League table – which is highly unlikely.

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