There's been a lot of talk lately about the Premier League as a product. Is modern football actually boring? Are teams now too reliant on set pieces to score goals? Are the mavericks and the willing protagonists being silenced just to preserve their manager's tactics? Have we gone too far in pursuit of sporting perfection?
Wayne Rooney has brutally advised Jack Grealish to "book his summer holiday" for 2026 as there is little chance of him earning an England recall for the World Cup finals. The Everton loanee has rediscovered his spark after leaving Manchester City for Merseyside, but Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel continues to ignore him. That situation is not expected to change any time soon.
Jack Grealish has been announced as the 2025 winner of the Herman Ouseley Award for Equality and Inclusion, presented the accolade by Kick It Out chief executive Samuel Okafor. The award is named for the Kick It Out founder and former chair, Lord Herman Ouseley, who passed away last year, and under a previous guise has been won in the past by Sir Gareth Southgate and Troy Deeney.
Jude Bellingham has been recalled by England for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. The Real Madrid superstar was left out of Thomas Tuchel's selection in October, amid questions of his character, but has been drafted back into the Three Lions fold for November internationals. Phil Foden has also been selected, while there is a shock first call-up for Alex Scott.
Premier League rule makers have been blasted over âludicrous and unfairâ FFP plans, with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea standing to benefit.
Everton are reportedly willing to âtake another lookâ at Dele Alli, but a âsignificant sumâ owed to Tottenham threatens to scupper those plans.