Sports
England, Nigeria Face-Off for Crystal Palace’s Eze
England and Nigeria are trying to outmaneuver one another on who scintillating Crystal Palace’s midfielder, Eberechi Eze would pledge his international future to.
Many perceive the renewed interests of the two national teams in Eze as reward for hard work as he almost singlehandedly saved the season of Crystal Palace by helping secure their premier league status.
He contributed six goals in seven matches to take his team out of the relegation zone, in what many see as an excellent performance under Roy Hodgson.
The Daily Mail reports Eze had played his way back on Gareth Southgate’s radar, but England faces competition from Nigeria to secure commitment for the forward’s international future.
This is because Eze is eligible to play for Nigeria through his parents and the three-time African champions have tried severally to convince the 24-year-old to play for the Super Eagles, but the midfielder is yet to make a final decision.
His performances for the Eagles have not gone unnoticed by Southgate, who believes Eze has the qualities of a full England international.
The FA already has extensive scouting reports on the former U-21 star and were ready to hand Eze his first senior call-up in 2021, but a serious Achilles injury dashed his hopes of being selected.
Having recovered from the injury, Eze was selected in Southgate’s provisional 55-man squad for last year’s World Cup in Qatar but didn’t make the final cut.
If eventually called up for England, he would be facing stiff competition in attacking areas, with Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and James Maddison all vying for places.
The Three Lions are billed to face Malta and North Macedonia in a European Championship qualifier in June.
Manchester City’s trophy-laden era has come under renewed scrutiny after the club was reportedly found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League financial-rule charges brought against it.
The reported verdict, disclosed by The Athletic on Friday, September 25, relates to alleged breaches covering the period between 2009 and 2018.
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The independent hearing lasted more than two years before the outcome emerged.
However, the case is not yet over, as the Premier League has not announced any sanction and Manchester City are expected to appeal the verdict.
The charges include allegations that the club failed to provide accurate financial information and breached rules relating to payments to players and coaches, as well as financial sustainability requirements.
City have consistently denied the allegations.
The reported verdict could have wider implications for the Premier League because the club has won eight league titles, four FA Cups, seven League Cups and one Champions League during the period in which the allegations have been investigated.
Potential sanctions under the league’s rules can include financial penalties and sporting punishments, with points deductions and expulsion among the measures that have been discussed in coverage of the case.
However, no punishment has been confirmed at this stage.
The uncertainty also means questions remain over whether any eventual sanction could affect Manchester City’s past achievements, current squad or future participation in the Premier League.
For now, the reported guilty findings mark a major development in one of English football’s longest-running disciplinary cases, but the final outcome will depend on the sanctioning process and City’s expected appeal.
Chelsea Football Club have confirmed a major ownership change, with Clearlake Capital set to take full control of the club after agreeing to acquire the ownership interests of Todd Boehly and Mark Walter.
Chelsea announced on Wednesday that affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group will acquire Boehly’s ownership interest, as well as Walter’s stake, giving Clearlake full control of the Premier League club.
“Chelsea Football Club today announced affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (‘Clearlake’) will acquire the ownership interest of Todd Boehly.
“Clearlake will also acquire Mark Walter’s ownership interest and therefore acquire full control of the Club,” the club said.
Mark Walter and Todd Boehly have agreed to sell their stakes in Chelsea to Clearlake Capital in a deal that values the club at about £5 billion.
The development marks a significant change to the ownership structure that has been in place since Chelsea’s takeover in 2022.
Chelsea also confirmed that Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss will remain an important partner and stakeholder in the club.
The announcement comes after weeks of reports that Boehly and Walter were considering selling their stakes to Clearlake.
Liverpool will face Chelsea in the standout tie of the EFL Cup fourth round after the draw was conducted on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The draw saw 13 Premier League clubs discover their opponents for the next stage of the competition, with Liverpool handed a home clash against Chelsea.
The fixture will also see Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso return to Anfield to face his former club.
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Arsenal were drawn away against Fleetwood Town, while Newcastle United will travel to Everton for another all-Premier League encounter.
Other fourth-round fixtures include Sunderland against Brentford, Fulham against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth against Aston Villa.
See complete draw below:
Fleetwood Town vs Arsenal
Manchester City/Norwich City vs Brighton
Everton vs Newcastle United
Sunderland vs Brentford
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Bradford City vs Peterborough
Fulham vs Crystal Palace
Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
The fourth-round ties are scheduled to take place during the week commencing October 26, 2026, between Matchweeks 8 and 9 of the Premier League.
Manchester City will determine the final fourth-round pairing when they host Norwich City in their outstanding third-round fixture on Thursday, September 17.
The third round has already produced several notable results. Liverpool defeated Tottenham 3-1, Arsenal beat Ipswich Town 4-2, while Chelsea recorded a 6-3 victory over Leeds United.
Manchester United were eliminated after losing 3-2 to Brighton, while Newcastle United defeated Millwall 1-0. Everton beat Wolves 1-0, Crystal Palace defeated Middlesbrough 3-0 and Bournemouth thrashed Lincoln City 4-0.
Peterborough progressed after beating Barnsley 7-6 on penalties following a 3-3 draw, while Fleetwood Town defeated Sheffield United 1-0.
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