Rio Ferdinand has now claimed Thomas Tuchel “has to” select Danny Welbeck in England’s World Cup squad next summer, having emerged as the second-best striker behind Harry Kane.

Captain Kane will almost certainly be a nailed-on starter at the World Cup, should he remain fit, given that the 32-year-old is the Three Lions’ leading all-time goalscorer, having scored 76 goals in 110 appearances.

The Bayern Munich star has also made an incredible start to the season, amassing 20 goals in 13 matches in all competitions, blowing existing records set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi out of the water.

England’s back-up options aren’t quite as reliable, however, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who scored the winner against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final, netting just one goal in nine Premier League appearances this season.

There may also be doubts about the inclusion of Ivan Toney, given that the 29-year-old arguably isn’t testing himself at the highest level week in week out, having signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024.

Ferdinand urges Tuchel to take Welbeck to the World Cup

As such, Ferdinand has now made the bold claim that Welbeck should be re-introduced to the England squad, saying: “He’s second to Harry Kane. If you’re talking form right now and the squad was being picked tomorrow, Danny Welbeck has to go, no?

“I would take him. If he finishes the season in the form he’s in right now, there’s no way you can’t take him because he’s only going there for a month, it ain’t like we’re saying to him he has to play a full season, you’ve got to be ready and that role he can do that, coming in and out, be a support act for someone like Harry Kane.”

“Right this second, right this moment in time, form wise he’s [Welbeck] above all of them [Ollie Watkins, Dominic Solanke and Ivan Toney], and playing in the best league in the world. He’s second, for me.”

The ex-Manchester United defender also added: “He’s a class act on and off the pitch, a great guy.”

In fairness, the Brighton striker is in far better form than Watkins, having scored five goals in his last four Premier League games, most recently finding the back of the net against former club Man United with a remarkable free-kick.

That said, it may be a risk for Tuchel to reintroduce the striker to the squad, given that it has been a long time since he was involved in the England set-up, with the 34-year-old’s last cap coming in a friendly against Switzerland way back in 2018.

There is also still plenty of football to be played before the England boss decides his squad, and Toney should arguably be on the plane as the main back-up for Kane, having proven he can handle big-game pressure by coolly converting a penalty against Switzerland in the 2024 Euros quarter-final.

AI has predicted England's squad for the 2026 World Cup No Foden or Palmer: AI predicts Tuchel's England squad for 2026 World Cup

What could Tuchel’s England squad look like in the USA next summer?

ByMatt Dawson Oct 14, 2025

Almost as soon as the New York Yankees lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday night, attention turned to the impending free agency of Yankees right fielder Juan Soto. The four-time All-Star—still just 26—is poised to command a massive salary from whichever team is fortunate enough to sign him.

After the game, New York designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton made a pitch to Soto based on his personal experience with free agency—or lack thereof.

"I've never been in (free agency), so…" Stanton told reporters. "So just, 'stay with us,' would be the advice."

The reporters assembled chuckled at Stanton's plea, as did the slugger himself.

Stanton—still riding the then-record contract he signed with the Miami Marlins in Nov. 2014—is scheduled to hit free agency for the first time after the 2028 season, for which the Yankees have a club option.

Soto—who reportedly turned down a $440 million contract from the Washington Nationals in the summer of 2022—is set to follow a very different path.

The Cleveland Guardians crowned two new postseason heroes on Thursday night in rookie Jhonkensy Noel and veteran David Fry.

Both players are being celebrated for two things: Their clutch blasts in the Guardians' walk-off 7–5 victory over the New York Yankees at Progressive Field, and the elite bat flips that followed those absolute taters.

The Guardians were one out away from going down 3–0 in the ALCS before Noel, nicknamed "The Big Christmas," hit a no-doubter to left field and tied the game. He confidently flipped the bat away with both hands and watched the baseball sail into the Cleveland night sky.

"The biggest swing of his life," play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson said on the TBS broadcast. It was the biggest bat flip of his life, too.

Not to be outdone, Guardians journeyman outfielder David Fry walked it off with a two-run blast in the bottom of the 10th. His bat flip wasn't quite as aggressive as Noel's, but he gave it a more casual toss to the side—which made it just as great.

Both bat flips will be continuously played on highlight reels throughout Cleveland as the Guardians' run through October baseball continues. And they even look better while played at the same time:

MLB fans loved it:

One Milwaukee fan made an interesting life decision Wednesday to attend Game 2 of the Brewers' wild-card series against the New York Mets at American Family Field.

Wearing a Brewers visor and holding a onesie, the fan's sign revealed that he was attending the playoff game despite his first baby being due Wednesday. The bottom of the sign read, "P.S. Thanks honey."

Of course, this all could be in good fun and not reality. But ESPN announcers Boog Sciambi and Doug Granville were not having it.

"Wow, that's love right there," Sciambi said. "I'm assuming he's going to get a phone call if necessary and will bolt out of here."

The Brewers, facing elimination in Game 2, put on an entertaining display for that fan on Wednesday night at American Family Field. Despite trailing 1-0, 3-1, and 3-2, the Brewers fought back and took a 5–3 lead in the bottom of the eighth.

Jackson Chourio, the Brewers' 20-year-old rookie phenom, belted two opposite-field home runs, and 26-year-old outfielder Garrett Mitchell socked a go-ahead two-run dinger in the eighth inning.

The Brewers held on to win Game 2 5-3 and forced Game 3 at American Family Field at 8:38 p.m. ET Thursday.

واصل محمود حسن تريزيجيه، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، أداء فقرات برنامج العلاج الطبيعي الذي يخضع له، بعد ‏إصابته بشد في العضلة الخلفية.

وكان تريزيجيه تعرض للإصابة خلال مشاركته في مباراة الزمالك التي جمعت الفريقين يوم الأحد الماضي في نهائي كأس ‏السوبر المصري.‏

كما أدى حسين الشحات، لاعب الفريق، برنامجه التأهيلي على إثر الإصابة التي لحقت به في العضلة الخلفية خلال وقت سابق، لتجهيزه للعودة إلى التدريبات الجماعية في الفترة المقبلة.

ومن المقرر أن يعود فريق النادي الأهلي، لاستئناف تدريباته غدًا السبت، بعد أن قام الجهاز الفني بمنح اللاعبين راحة لمدة 5 أيام، عقب الفوز ببطولة السوبر المصري أمام الزمالك بنتيجة 2-0.

ومن المنتظر وصول الدنماركي، ييس توروب، المدير الفني للفريق إلى القاهرة مساء اليوم الجمعة، برفقة طاقمه المعاون، بعد قضاء إجازة لعدة ‏أيام عقب الفوز ببطولة كأس السوبر.

طالع.. خاص | تأجيل مباراتي الأهلي والزمالك في الجولة 13 من الدوري

ومن المقرر أن يقود توروب مران الفريق غدًا على ملعب مختار التتش بمقر الجزيرة، استعدادًا لخوض مباراة ‏شبيبة القبائل الجزائري، في أولى مواجهات دور المجموعات بدوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع شبيبة القبائل الجزائري، يوم 22 نوفمبر الجاري، قبل أن يخرج لمواجهة الجيش الملكي ‏المغربي، ثم يواجه فريق يانج أفريكانز التنزاني ضمن منافسات دور المجموعات.‏

Sunday League side Wythenshawe Vets are “trying to tap up Wayne Rooney” after becoming a viral social media sensation. They have named a number of former Premier League stars in their team this season – including Stephen Ireland and Danny Drinkwater – with ex-Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse scoring seven second-half goals in their latest 13-0 victory.

Why ex-Premier League stars are representing ninth-tier team

Cisse turned up late for that fixture, meaning that he had to make do with a place on the bench, but showcased his class when registering a double hat-trick. The one-time Senegal international accepted an invitation from former Manchester City midfielder Ireland to take part in a ninth-tier contest in South Manchester.

As reported by , Ireland has “turned the Cheshire Over-35 division on its head by recruiting an array of former professional players to road worker Kieran Megran’s squad”. Ireland joined those ranks in pre-season as a favour to close friend Blake Norton – who was of the opinion that Wythenshawe “needed a trump card after losing two cup finals” last term.

AdvertisementGETTYPremier League title winner graces non-league fixture

Ireland has invited more ex-pros along for the ride, with many of those already gracing a star-studded nine-a-side midweek team. Ireland has said: “I’m turning people away. My phone hasn’t stopped, I’ve got players asking ‘how do I sign up?’ I just want to be wary of not bringing too many people. I want it to be a mix of the proper old vets with maybe four or five pros each time. But it is great fun, even as an incentive during the week to prepare for.”

Alongside Cisse and Ireland, Premier League title winner Danny Drinkwater – formerly of Leicester and Chelsea – and EFL legend George Boyd also turned out for Wynthenshawe in their latest fixture. Swansea cult hero Jefferson Montero and Honduras’ all-time leading appearance maker Maynor Figueroa added even more star dust to proceedings.

Ex-England internationals: Who has played for Wythenshawe Vets?

Wythenshawe dismantled South Liverpool Vets 13-0, with Cisse able to miss a penalty alongside his seven goals – while also scuffing a short corner out for a goal kick, much to the amusement of those on the touchline.

Drinkwater, who lived the high life in his professional playing days, said of stepping down the divisions: “It’s obviously a massive contrast. But, without sounding totally daft, there is still as much enjoyment in it. You arrive in your casuals, you’re having a laugh, do a 10-minute warm-up and then you finish the match and have a pint. It’s like estate football. As a kid that’s what you enjoy most about it, going out and having a knock about with the lads and calling it a night.”

Wythenshawe’s squad for the current campaign also includes ex-England internationals Emile Heskey and Joleon Lescott, alongside Oumar Niasse and Nedum Onouha. Lescott has joked about giving a good hiding to those who once fired abuse from the terraces: “They’re the people who gave us stick as professionals! So I don’t feel that bad. Listen, we’re not there to showboat, the Vets are a great bunch of lads and we have to be respectful to them.”

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GettyRooney next? Man Utd legend is a local

Wythenshawe’s ranks include £132 million ($173m) worth of transfer fees, 15 major trophies, over 1,800 Premier League appearances, 223 top-flight goals and 400 international caps. There is the promise of more to come, with sights being set on Manchester United legend Rooney.

Drinkwater said of getting the Red Devils’ all-time leading scorer involved: “Rooney, yeah? Imagine that, that would be unreal. Rooney in the No.10 slot – wouldn’t be bad, that! I’d be happy to watch from the sidelines.”

Ex-England captain Rooney may be open to an invitation having already graced a number of exhibition games since hanging up his boots. He has opted against making a return to management on the back of failed stints at Birmingham and Plymouth and is based in Cheshire with wife Coleen and their four sons.

They are preparing to star in a Disney+ documentary series, with it possible that Rooney could bring cameras along with him to a game that sees him trade Old Trafford for Hollyhedge Park.

One of the most notable players in Leeds United’s history over the past 25 years or so is certainly Rio Ferdinand. The former England centre-back only spent two seasons at Elland Road, between 2000 and 2002, but certainly left a huge impact on the club.

Ferdinand, who has gone into punditry and presenting since his retirement, played 73 times in West Yorkshire and was a key figure in the heart of the defence. He skippered the club on numerous occasions, including during their famous Champions League run of 2000/01, where he helped them reach the semi-final.

Since Ferdinand’s days at the club, there have been a couple of other notable English talents ply their trade at Elland Road.

Leeds’ notable English talents since Ferdinand

It is certainly hard to find a player as good as Ferdinand was, yet, through their academy, the Whites produced a couple of big names. One of those was Kalvin Phillips, who was lovingly dubbed the “Yorkshire Pirlo” for his ability to control the game at the heart of midfield.

Now 29 years of age, Phillips played 234 games for his boyhood club after graduating from their academy. He was pivotal to their success in returning to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa and England’s run to the final of Euro 2020.

Eventually, he earned a big move to Manchester City, although his career has stalled since.

Another player who could be considered one of Leeds’ most talented since Ferdinand is Archie Gray. The 19-year-old now plays for Tottenham Hotspur and helped them win the Europa League last season.

Like Phillips, Gray is an academy graduate and only had one full season at Elland Road before the Lilywhites snapped him up. He played 52 games for his boyhood club before departing for North London, a huge £30m move which highlighted his talent.

As good as Phillips and Gray are, there is someone in the Leeds academy who could be considered their best talent since Ferdinand.

Leeds’ most talented player since Ferdinand

It is always a proud moment when you bring a player through the academy and into the first team, like Phillips and Gray. Ferdinand, of course, came through West Ham United’s academy before his move to Leeds.

Well, the man who could be their biggest talent since the centre-back is Harry Gray, the younger brother of Archie. At just 17 years of age, Gray has already made his debut for the club and has shone at youth level.

The England under-17 striker made his debut for the first team last season, with Daniel Farke giving him a four-minute cameo in the 6-0 win over Stoke City. He was also on the bench for the 3-1 win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers this season.

The Whites academy graduate has proven why he is “the real deal,” as football analyst Ben Mattinson put it, for the youth sides. Gray has 15 goals and two assists in just 24 appearances for the under-18s and under-21s side combined.

Games

11

13

Minutes

819

998

Goals

8

7

Assists

0

2

Misn per G/A

102

110

One of the standout moments from Gray’s campaign so far is the hat-trick he scored against Scunthorpe United.

Donning the number nine shirt, you can see from this one game that the striker possesses pace, a real instinct in the box and the ability to score a range of goals.

It is easy to see why you might consider the 17-year-old to be Leeds’ best talent since Ferdinand was at the club. In a separate post on X, Mattinson described him as “one of England’s best prospects in his generation”, while evoking a certain Harry Redknapp when suggesting that he’s “going to the very top”.

With the numbers he puts up and the skillset he possesses, it feels like only a matter of time before Gray breaks into the first-team for his boyhood side and makes a real name for himself.

Leeds have signed an "explosive" star who looks like the new Summerville

Daniel Farke could have his next Crysencio Summerville-like star in this unplayable Leeds United ace.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 15, 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers have “spoken” to representatives of Erik ten Hag regarding their vacant managerial role and his stance on the position has now been made clear.

After 10 games in the Premier League this season, Wolves have acquired two points from an available 30. Without a win in those matches, Vitor Pereira was sacked following a 3-0 loss to Fulham, despite the Portuguese having signed a new contract just weeks earlier.

Wolves will, no doubt, hope to make a swift appointment to replace Pereira. The Old Gold have an interim manager in place for their game against Chelsea in the shape of James Collins, as they consider a wide range of options who could succeed Pereira.

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards appears to be the top target for Wolves, even though Boro are reluctant to let Edwards, who only joined in the summer, depart for Molineux, where he has spent time as both a coach and player.

According to Football Insider, however, the club are seemingly interested in bringing one particular manager back to the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag open to Wolves role

Recent reports have indicated that not only have Wolves spoken with ten Hag’s representatives, but that the Dutchman would be “interested in speaking to Wolves about the job”.

No stranger to the Premier League, ten Hag moved from Ajax to Manchester United in 2022. Across the following two years, he won an EFL Cup and FA Cup, but struggled to enjoy much consistent success in both domestic and European football.

Sacked in 2024, ten Hag spent almost a year without a job until being hired by Bayer Leverkusen to replace Xabi Alonso in the summer of 2025. After taking charge of just three matches for the German side, however, ten Hag was sacked and remains a free agent.

Though recent seasons have not been the kindest for ten Hag, he remains a well-thought of coach. Thierry Henry, as per Manchester Evening News, has spoken positively of the Dutchman in the past.

The next Wolves manager must have a quick start at Molineux, due to the club’s current predicament in the league. As somebody who is “firmly in the running,” ten Hag would certainly be a bold appointment, given the misfortunes he suffered both at the end of his tenure at Man United and with Leverkusen.

"One of the best men" in football considered by Wolves

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos foi derrotado, por 3 a 0, pelo Fluminense, em plena Vila Belmiro. Diante de um resultado que complicou a equipe na tabela, o técnico Marcelo Fernandes eximiu a culpa dos jogadores, parabenizou eles pela entrega e assumiu a responsabilidade pelo placar.

➡️Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp! Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Santos

– Não tem culpado, o culpado sou eu que escalei e eu que troquei. Os atletas estão todos de parabéns, eles correram muito e os números mostram isso. No primeiro tempo corremos errado, simples assim. Ficamos na roda quando tínhamos que avançar. No segundo tempo corrigimos e conseguimos mais oportunidades – opinou o treinador.

➡️Veja a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

Apesar de admitir problemas na primeira etapa, o comandante alvinegro poupou críticas aos atletas do Peixe.

– A gente não vai arrumar bode expiatório. O Fluminense foi melhor, conseguiu a vantagem. Para mim, o Santos fez um grande jogo no segundo tempo, correu muito. Está oscilando um pouco, mas ajudou muito. Não vamos entrar nessa de quem está bem e quem está mal. Estão todos tentando ajudar o Santos. Não adianta falar de A, B ou C – concluiu Marcelo Fernandes.

Agora, o Santos tenta a reabilitação na tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro diante do Athletico-PR, no próximo domingo (3), às 18h30.

Football is a fickle game, but the feel-good factor has certainly returned to Manchester United in recent weeks, with Ruben Amorim’s men now in the midst of a rare three-game winning run in the Premier League.

While the prior win at Anfield may have been the cliched ‘statement’ performance, the subsequent display against Brighton provided even greater reason for encouragement.

Like the red arrows – or Sir Alex Ferguson’s beloved geese – United swarmed the Seagulls on Saturday night, with the frontline, in particular, simply proving too hot to handle.

This much-debated 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 set-up has no doubt had its critics, but the weekend triumph showcased what it can look like in full flow, with so many avenues available to hurt the opposition.

If it’s not Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, it’s Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro making an impact, with even the high press of the backline working to emphatic effect amid Luke Shaw’s involvement in the opening two goals.

Where Amorim’s machine currently looks at its best, however, is on the right flank, making it all the more troubling that the Portuguese will soon be without the dynamic duo of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo.

How many games Amad and Mbeumo could miss due to AFCON

There was a moment on the opening weekend that seemed to illustrate everything wrong with Amorim’s approach, with the left-footed pair of Amad and Mbeumo getting in each other’s way inside the area against Arsenal.

With both men looking to come in onto their favoured left foot, they had been occupying the same areas in the early weeks of the season. That has all changed since Sunderland, however.

There were shades of Yorke and Cole about the two men against the Black Cats, while they also combined again to devastating effect against Liverpool, with opposite number Milos Kerkez enduring a torrid day at the office.

As Amad has himself spoken of, there is a fluidity emerging regarding United’s right-sided duo, with the pair comfortable alternating between a no.10 or right wing-back berth mid-game.

Mbeumo, signed for a total fee of £71m this summer, now boasts five goals already for the Red Devils, while Amad has created two ‘big chances’ and provided one assist in the Premier League thus far, as per Sofascore.

Frustratingly, this developing partnership is set to be halted in the near future, with the upcoming African Cup of Nations set to kick off on 21 December. Amad and Mbeumo will be representing Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon, respectively.

While festive fixtures are yet to be totally confirmed by broadcasters, United currently face Aston Villa (21st), Newcastle United (27th) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (30th) in late December, with further fixtures at risk in January should their nations progress.

There should be no pressure applied for the pair to forego their international commitments, however, with Amorim and co instead needing to find international solutions to help fill that double-barreled void.

How Man Utd can replace Mbeumo and Amad

As per journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the impending departure of the two widemen will likely see United block potential January exits, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee having been tipped to depart in the New Year.

In truth, the club’s attacking options are light as it is following the summer exits of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony, with Amorim unable to afford his frontline getting any weaker.

Thankfully, an obvious solution to the Mbeumo absence would be Mason Mount, with the Englishman – who was named on the bench last time out – comfortable either in a left-sided or right-sided number ten role.

That would then leave Cunha and Sesko to complete the attacking trio, with the likes of Zirkzee and Mainoo in reserve – while a surprise chance could emerge for academy sensation, Shea Lacey.

If Amorim is looking for a more natural replacement for either Mbeumo or Amad, however, it might be Patrick Dorgu who he turns to, with the left footer able to provide another “explosive” presence down the right flank – as U23 scout Antonio Mango has described him.

While predominantly deployed on the left flank following his January arrival from Leece, the young Dane has been ousted from that role of late, with Diogo Dalot slotting in at left wing-back in each of the last three victories.

It would seem bizarre to have a right-footer on the left, and a left-footer on the right, although that approach is working currently, ensuring Dorgu might be the man to fill that Amad-Mbeumo-shaped hole.

Indeed, prior to moving to Manchester, the versatile 21-year-old had regularly lined up as a right winger in Italy, with three of his five Serie A goals coming from a right-wing or right midfield berth, as per Transfermarkt.

An impressive ball carrier, like Amad and Mbeumo, Dorgu currently ranks in the top 7% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carriers per 90, as per FBref, as well as in the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 – highlighting his willingness to get forward.

Too often, the £30m signing produces a wayward attempt when cutting onto his right foot from the left, with there the chance that he might well benefit from being able to cut in onto his preferred foot instead from the opposite flank.

Noted as a statistically similar player to Amad in this season’s Premier League, as per FBref, Dorgu might well be the man to replace the Ivorian in something of a new role, having only featured on the right a handful of times to date under Amorim – namely on debut against Leicester City.

The ten-cap Denmark international will have big shoes to fill over the Christmas period, but he might just be the international solution that Amorim is in need of.

Not Cunha or Mbeumo: Man Utd gem is becoming one of the "best in the world"

Manchester United have yet another world-class star on their hands under Ruben Amorim.

2

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 30, 2025